The transport minister has challenged road pricing critics to accept
the scheme or propose an alternative strategy for tackling the UK's
burgeoning congestion problem.
The transport minister has challenged road pricing critics to accept
the scheme or propose an alternative strategy for tackling the UK's
burgeoning congestion problem.
Transport secretary Douglas Alexander argues that "doing nothing" is
no longer an option, pointing to a 60 per cent rise in congestion
over the past 20 years.
However, he attempted to reassure motorists that a nationwide road
pricing initiative would not be enacted unless it had pubic support.
Nevertheless, his comments suggested that he intended to win the
debate by converting the public to the benefits of road pricing,
rather than listening to the motoring lobby.
Speaking to Radio 4's Today programme this morning he promised that
the government would listen to public concerns and welcomed the
debate on congestion solutions.
"I welcome the opportunity to take forward what I asked for in my
first speed as secretary of state for transport, which was to take
forwards the debate on road pricing.
"We have said we want a national debate about road pricing and
ultimately it will be a matter for parliament to make decisions but
it is important that people have the chance to have their say."
Last week, in an interview with the Mirror, Mr Alexander said that
road pricing would not go ahead unless it had public support.
"Unless motorists and families can see the benefits of bringing in a
national road pricing system then it simply won't happen," he said.
However, the Department for Transport quickly moved to clarify his
comments, claiming that it would not be the case that the public
could block a charging scheme, but rather a call for more debate.
A spokesman told PA: "Public acceptability of such schemes is one of
the major milestones that has to be achieved as well as carrying out
the pilot schemes.
"We have always said that we have to see the results of the pilot
schemes before we make a decision on a national road charging
scheme."
Mr Alexander was speaking as an anti road pricing petition, posted
on the Downing Street website, received over one million
signatories. The government plans to write to each supporter and has
promised a dialogue with the author, Peter Roberts, 46, from
Telford, Shropshire.
Speaking to the Mirror, Mr Alexander criticised the petition for its
flawed interpretation of the proposals. "Frankly if we were
proposing what the petition suggests, I would share the concerns,"
he said.
Acknowledging the level of opposition to the government's tentative
road pricing schemes, the transport minister maintained that: "We
don't have the luxury of doing nothing if we are to avoid the
American-style gridlock we see on the other side of the Atlantic."
As part of the debate, Mr Alexander has called on his critics to
propose sensible alternatives to cutting congestion. In an interview
with the Guardian he said: "Feeling strongly about an issue is not a
substitute for coming up with proposals to tackle congestion.
"Anyone who has found themselves in a traffic jam recently
recognises that we cannot wish away congestion."
The latest research from the RAC Foundation reports that company car
drivers spend more than 11 days a year stuck in congestion and Mr
Alexander quoted figures that show the number of vehicles on the
roads has increased by 26 million in 1996 to 33 million.
Road charging would see motorists charged up to ?1.50 a mile to
travel on some routes during peak times, falling to two pence a
mile. Supporters claim it could dramatically cut congestion but the
proposal has failed to win over many motorists.
Paul Biggs, from the Association of British Drivers, points out that
the only way for road charging to work is to price people off the
roads, although advocates claim that a staggered pricing system
would give drivers the incentive to travel outside peak periods.
Meanwhile, the RAC Foundation supports the idea in principle and
estimates that ten per cent of the UK road network could be suited
to road pricing. Nevertheless, director Edmund King expressed
scepticism that it can be sold to the public, pointing to the level
of opposition to the westwards expansion of the congestion charge.
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