Blackwall in lane threat
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• Hauliers could soon face even worse congestion approaching the Blackwall Tunnel in London if trucks are banned from one of the two lanes in each direction.
The Department of Transport is considering introducing a "two-plus" car lane for vehicles with more than one occupant.
It is not known if HGVs will be allowed to use these lanes, but in a similar scheme in Leeds a "high occupancy vehicle" (HOV) lane is open to CVs up to 7.5 tonnes.
When the Leeds pilot was introduced last May there was an initial 20% fall in traffic, with matching increases in traffic on other routes into the city. The fine for inappropriate use of the lane is 120.
A spokesman for the RAC says the plans for the Blackwall Tunnel are flawed because commuters do not have an alternate route and there are few opportunities for sharing cars.
"HOV lanes are fine in principle," he says, "but the Blackwall Tunnel is the worst of all places to introduce one. Commuters are not sitting in their cars for more than an hour each way for the benefit of their health."
• Deputy PM John Prescott has told a Sunday newspaper that there will still be congestion on Britain's roads in 10 years' time.