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Road tolls backed in key report Motorists 'must pay for road use'
(about 5 hours later)
Pay-as-you-drive road tolls are an unavoidable answer to Britain's traffic congestion, a government-commissioned report is to say. Motorists should be asked to pay to drive on the nation's road network, a report commissioned by the government is set to recommend.
The BBC has learned Sir Rod Eddington's study into transport - to be published on Friday - will say tolls could bring £28bn a year of benefits. Former British Airways chief Sir Rod Eddington has examined options for modernising the UK transport network.
BBC Transport Correspondent Tom Symonds said Sir Rod has not ruled out a high speed London to Scotland rail link. He is expected to report that road tolls could bring £28bn a year of benefits to bus and rail users.
But he says it is not a priority and existing networks should be used more. A high-speed railway from London to Scotland is an option, and expansion of key airports may be recommended.
Airport investment The BBC's transport correspondent, Tom Symonds, says Sir Rod will conclude that grand projects - such as a high-speed rail link - are less important than using existing networks better.
The government study, led by Sir Rod, the former British Airways boss, was announced in the 2005 budget. Smaller projects, including an expansion of the UK cycle network, are likely to receive strong backing.
It has been investigating the long-term impact of transport decisions on the UK economy and is examining road pricing, road building, rail and airport investment and the planning system. Fundraiser
The report will say road charging will put some people off driving, will cut congestion and carbon emissions and generate funds for public transport - benefits it says are worth about £28bn a year. The government announced the transport study in 2005 as part of an effort to examine the long-term impact of transport decisions on the UK economy.
For road pricing to work it's going to have to be accompanied by a lot of other measures Stephen Joseph Transport 2000 href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4860&edition=1&ttl=20061130225317" class="">Send us your comments href="/1/hi/puffbox/promo/regular/6196688.inc" class="">Business wants action Sir Rod has examined the possibilities for road pricing, road building, rail and airport investment, as well as the planning system.
Our correspondent says many of the recommendations in the report were in line with government policy, but it helped to have a respected businessman like Sir Rod backing them. For road pricing to work it's going to have to be accompanied by a lot of other measures Stephen Joseph, Transport 2000 href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4860&edition=1&ttl=20061130225317" class="">Send us your comments href="/1/hi/puffbox/promo/regular/6196688.inc" class="">Business wants action
Road pricing in particular was still a "hard sell" with the public. He said the government would take some of the ideas and develop policies from them. The report will conclude that the potential benefits of charging motorists for using roads will outweigh the costs of the scheme.
Road charges will put some people off driving entirely, cut congestion and carbon emissions and generate some £28bn every year in funds for public transport, Sir Rod is likely to say.
Many of the recommendations are in line with government thinking, but will now receive the backing of a respected businessman.
The prospect of road pricing was given a cool welcome by some.
Stephen Joseph, of the Transport 2000 lobby group, told the BBC: "For road pricing to work it's going to have to be accompanied by a lot of other measures, in particular measures to improve alternatives to driving so that it isn't just seen as another tax.Stephen Joseph, of the Transport 2000 lobby group, told the BBC: "For road pricing to work it's going to have to be accompanied by a lot of other measures, in particular measures to improve alternatives to driving so that it isn't just seen as another tax.
"People [should] feel they have some choice about how they travel, rather than just having to pay more money to the government.""People [should] feel they have some choice about how they travel, rather than just having to pay more money to the government."
Shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling told the BBC he agreed with the plan in principle, but added: "I don't believe a national scheme applying to every road is desirable or realistically achievable in the near future." Shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling told the BBC he agreed with the plan in principle, but said a national road pricing scheme for every road was not desirable "or realistically achievable in the near future".
He said it would be premature to bring in a national road pricing scheme. Conservative plan
Motorway network Sir Rod's report is expected to warn that how we get around Britain will be vital for future economic success.
Sir Rod will not rule out a new rail line from London to Scotland, but will say the government should be looking at smaller local projects, like cycle lanes.
But some critics say he should be thinking bigger. Jim Steer, of the Greengage 21 think tank, said in the 1950s someone in government decided there had to be a national motorway network.
He told the BBC: "I think we are in a somewhat equivalent position here today with the railways," he said.
The report is expected to warn that how we get around Britain will be vital for future economic success.
The government has already indicated it will press ahead with trial road-pricing schemes across England - amid fears congestion could rise by 25% by 2015 in big towns and cities.The government has already indicated it will press ahead with trial road-pricing schemes across England - amid fears congestion could rise by 25% by 2015 in big towns and cities.
The draft Road Transport Bill, announced in the Queen's Speech, gives councils more freedom to bring in their own schemes in busy areas.The draft Road Transport Bill, announced in the Queen's Speech, gives councils more freedom to bring in their own schemes in busy areas.
The Conservatives have released their own strategy, Getting Around: Britain's Great Frustration, calling for greener cars on the roads and major long-term projects.The Conservatives have released their own strategy, Getting Around: Britain's Great Frustration, calling for greener cars on the roads and major long-term projects.
They have also not ruled out road pricing but say they would build new roads and have a more integrated transport policy.They have also not ruled out road pricing but say they would build new roads and have a more integrated transport policy.