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Local authority road pricing schemes come a step nearer
Page 12
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A law in the pipeline will empower local authorities to introduce road pricing schemes — with certain conditions. Dylan Gray reports.
THE DEPARTMENT for Transport has published a draft bill to investigate a range of congestion busting options — and the first local authority has already put forward its proposal.
The bill allows proposals for local road pricing schemes — but the DiT expects any such schemes to be part of wider packages to tackle local congestion problems.
The Freight Transport Association welcomes the chance for local authorities to trial road pricing. Gordon Telling. FTA head of policy for London,the South-East and Fast Anglia, says: "We are in favour of road pricing as a tool in a toolbox. We do not support it as a sole solution tocongestion."
The bill warns that road pricing must not be used as an excuse to abandon road building.
Road Haulage Association policy director Jack Semple says: "Freight has to be on the road —we can't have a proliferation of local charging schemes. We'll be pushing hard for trucks to be exempt."
The bill also empowers local authorities to reform public transport, in particular buses. Transport Secretary DouglasAlexander says: "Two-thirds of public transport journeys are made by bus, so it is only right that the bill focuses on how we improve bus services."
Manchester is the first authority to invite public opinion on its proposal. which includes charging vehicles for inward journeys in the morning and outward at night.
CVs will be charged but there will be a cap on the amount businesses will pay.For a full analysis of Manchester's proposals see next week's issue.
www.roadtransport,comicirmws