Menu
09/06/2005
Road charging plans announced by Darling
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has announced plan to charge motorists for driving on Britain’s roads.
The Transport Secretary said that the measures, which could see motorists charged up to £1.30 per mile for driving in extremely congested areas, were necessary to prevent “gridlock” on Britain’s roads in the next twenty years.
The plans would see motorists charged 2p per mile for travelling on rural roads, but as much as £1.30 to travel on the country’s busiest roads. A satellite tracking system would be used to charge drivers for their journeys.
Speaking at the Social Market Foundation in London, Mr Darling said that a pilot scheme for the new plans could be tested within five years, although the plans are unlikely to be introduced nationwide before 2015.
The Transport Secretary announced the plans as a Mori survey, published today, and indicated that 16% of Britain’s drivers would refuse to have the necessary tracking technology fitted to their car, in order to pay the charges.
The AA Motoring Trust warned that motorists would judge road pricing on how it would affect them individually. Bert Morris, director of the AA Motoring Trust, said: “The key to public acceptance will be how individuals and families will perceive its effect on them. It must be seen as fair and sensible, better than the present system of road and fuel taxes and result in less congestion.”
Transport 2000 welcomed the proposals, although the pressure group said that many major issues still had to be resolved. Stephen Joseph, director of Transport 2000 said: “At last the idea of road charging is being taken seriously. Alistair Darling has turned the ignition keys on charging, but there is a very long journey ahead with many big issues to be resolved. Will motoring tax overall rise to encourage people onto public transport? Will traffic be displaced from key arteries onto unsuitable local roads? How can we use the system to stop traffic growing? Will charges be varied according to the ‘pollutability’ of vehicles? Will it help us reduce carbon emissions?”
Mr Joseph also called for the mileage rate for larger ‘gas guzzlers’ to be more than that for ‘greener’ vehicles to provide a very clear incentive for drivers to buy less polluting vehicles.
(KMcA)
The Transport Secretary said that the measures, which could see motorists charged up to £1.30 per mile for driving in extremely congested areas, were necessary to prevent “gridlock” on Britain’s roads in the next twenty years.
The plans would see motorists charged 2p per mile for travelling on rural roads, but as much as £1.30 to travel on the country’s busiest roads. A satellite tracking system would be used to charge drivers for their journeys.
Speaking at the Social Market Foundation in London, Mr Darling said that a pilot scheme for the new plans could be tested within five years, although the plans are unlikely to be introduced nationwide before 2015.
The Transport Secretary announced the plans as a Mori survey, published today, and indicated that 16% of Britain’s drivers would refuse to have the necessary tracking technology fitted to their car, in order to pay the charges.
The AA Motoring Trust warned that motorists would judge road pricing on how it would affect them individually. Bert Morris, director of the AA Motoring Trust, said: “The key to public acceptance will be how individuals and families will perceive its effect on them. It must be seen as fair and sensible, better than the present system of road and fuel taxes and result in less congestion.”
Transport 2000 welcomed the proposals, although the pressure group said that many major issues still had to be resolved. Stephen Joseph, director of Transport 2000 said: “At last the idea of road charging is being taken seriously. Alistair Darling has turned the ignition keys on charging, but there is a very long journey ahead with many big issues to be resolved. Will motoring tax overall rise to encourage people onto public transport? Will traffic be displaced from key arteries onto unsuitable local roads? How can we use the system to stop traffic growing? Will charges be varied according to the ‘pollutability’ of vehicles? Will it help us reduce carbon emissions?”
Mr Joseph also called for the mileage rate for larger ‘gas guzzlers’ to be more than that for ‘greener’ vehicles to provide a very clear incentive for drivers to buy less polluting vehicles.
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 March 2015
Thieves Steal Primary Schools iPad Minis
Thieves stole 48 iPad minis from a Cheshire primary school in an overnight robbery. It is understood that thieves smashed through an external double-skinned wall to gain access to the school. The school's entire stock of iPad minis were taken along with three large charging cases.
Thieves Steal Primary Schools iPad Minis
Thieves stole 48 iPad minis from a Cheshire primary school in an overnight robbery. It is understood that thieves smashed through an external double-skinned wall to gain access to the school. The school's entire stock of iPad minis were taken along with three large charging cases.
09 March 2004
Visits to UK museums rise by 11m from 2001
More people are taking advantage of free admission to museums and galleries in England, according to new figures out today. Visits have risen by nearly 11 million since the introduction of the free admissions policy in December 2001. There were 5.3 million extra visitors in the first year, and an extra 5.6 million last year.
Visits to UK museums rise by 11m from 2001
More people are taking advantage of free admission to museums and galleries in England, according to new figures out today. Visits have risen by nearly 11 million since the introduction of the free admissions policy in December 2001. There were 5.3 million extra visitors in the first year, and an extra 5.6 million last year.
21 January 2015
BTP Try To Establish Identity Of Woman Killed By Train
British Transport Police (BTP) are trying to establish the identity of a woman who died on Wednesday morning after being hit by a train. BTP said the woman died after being hit by a train near Dingle Road station just before 06:00 this morning. Her body was taken to University Hospital of Wales were a post-mortem is due to be carried out.
BTP Try To Establish Identity Of Woman Killed By Train
British Transport Police (BTP) are trying to establish the identity of a woman who died on Wednesday morning after being hit by a train. BTP said the woman died after being hit by a train near Dingle Road station just before 06:00 this morning. Her body was taken to University Hospital of Wales were a post-mortem is due to be carried out.
20 July 2004
£10bn Crossrail and road-pricing plans top transport proposals
The government has given the go-ahead for the construction of London's £10 billion Crossrail link as part of a series of reforms designed to create a long-term strategy for a "modern, efficient and sustainable transport system". Under the plans, Britain's transport networks will get average annual increases of 4.
£10bn Crossrail and road-pricing plans top transport proposals
The government has given the go-ahead for the construction of London's £10 billion Crossrail link as part of a series of reforms designed to create a long-term strategy for a "modern, efficient and sustainable transport system". Under the plans, Britain's transport networks will get average annual increases of 4.
18 November 2013
Call For Drivers To Tune In To Road Safety
A national campaign launched today by the charity Brake at the start of Road Safety Week calls on drivers to tune in to road safety, to prevent appalling crashes caused by multi-tasking at the wheel.
Call For Drivers To Tune In To Road Safety
A national campaign launched today by the charity Brake at the start of Road Safety Week calls on drivers to tune in to road safety, to prevent appalling crashes caused by multi-tasking at the wheel.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Cloudy with longer spells of rain during the morning, this rain heavy at times. Generally brighter in the afternoon, but with scattered and at times heavy showers. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A mainly dry evening and night with isolated showers dying out and some longer clear spells. Then it will cloud over towards morning with some heavy showers. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
