The introduction of road pricing 'is inevitable'

Date: 16/9/2010

A scheme that charges motorists for road use will need to be introduced in Britain to ensure safety is not compromised due to scarce government funds, an industry figure has suggested.

Matthew Lugg, Chair of the UK Roads Board, told the Guardian road pricing is inevitable.

Currently, the roads budget stands at £5 billion, but that is likely to be cut by between 25 and 50 per cent in the forthcoming government spending review, he said.

Therefore, the tax system and road maintenance will need to be examined, Mr Lugg continued.

He stated: "If we don't receive adequate funding, with the increased levels of congestion on our roads in the future, we will compromise road safety."

Road pricing could be one solution to restricted finances - former British Airways boss Sir Rod Eddington strongly recommended the initiative in a 2006 report on the UK's transport infrastructure commissioned by the Treasury and the Department for Transport (DfT).

Statistics published by the DfT last month found 30 per cent of adults believe a new road charging system based on times of travel and routes taken would be an effective way to reduce congestion.

Posted by Mary Treen