Pricing knee-jerk
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• I do not know why your article on road pricing conveyed such a knee-jerk reaction against the concept.
Commercial Motor frequently prints gripes from operators about the cost of delays from congestion — the CBI estimates that these amount to £15bn a year. With the Government forecasting increases in traffic of between 83% and 142% by 2025 these costs must inevitably rise dramatically.
Even the Government now accepts that road building will not solve the problem of congestion, especially in our cities. Road pricing, in combination with improved public transport, appears to be the one strategy that may lead to reduced congestion and faster delivery times.
Even if delivery vehicles have to pay a charge — which is not certain — the savings from reduced congestion will outweigh this considerably.
Surely the haulage industry is not suggesting that it should get less congestion and faster delivery time without paying anything for it! Nick Lester Association of London Authorities, London SW1.
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