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M25 may get truck lane
Page 10
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• A traffic lane reserved for freight and PSVs could be set up on the M25 following a government-commissioned report into congestion.
This warns that traffic on London's orbital motorway will rise by a third by 2016 if left unchecked. It rules out large-scale motorway widening without tolls. However, the report warns that if charging is restricted to the M25 a new problem will be created by traffic being diverted on to other roads.
One of the authors suggests that congestion charging should be introduced throughout London and the Home Counties to avoid this.
The Freight Transport Association is backing the report which is one of several which have studied congestion blackspots around the country Geoff Dossetter. FTA head of external affairs, says that with trucks due to be taxed by distance from 2006, it is logical to extend this form of taxation to cars.
"Better management of the available road space, and priority for key vehicles, managed by some form of road pricing at the point of use simply has to be on the agenda," he adds. But a government spokesman says this is not viable in the short-term: "The government's feeling is that with 26 million cars it is just not possible to introduce congestion charging in this decade, whether it is in the South-East or over the whole country.'
The report proposes large-scale investment in rail infrastructure and suggests managing traffic by providing "congestion-free lanes for freight, buses and specially designated vehicles".
• Consultation on the proposals ends on 31 July.