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Motorists 'must pay for road use' Motorists 'must pay for road use'
(about 2 hours later)
Motorists should be asked to pay to drive on the nation's road network, a report commissioned by the government is set to recommend. Motorists should be asked to pay to drive on the nation's road network, a report commissioned by the government has recommended.
Former British Airways chief Sir Rod Eddington has examined options for modernising the UK transport network.Former British Airways chief Sir Rod Eddington has examined options for modernising the UK transport network.
He is expected to report that road tolls could bring £28bn a year of benefits to bus and rail users. He has reported that road tolls could bring £28bn a year of benefits to bus and rail users.
A high-speed railway from London to Scotland is an option, and expansion of key airports may be recommended. Grand projects like high-speed rail links were less important than using existing networks better, he said.
The BBC's transport correspondent, Tom Symonds, says Sir Rod will conclude that grand projects - such as a high-speed rail link - are less important than using existing networks better. Smaller projects, including an expansion of the UK cycle network, received string backing.
Smaller projects, including an expansion of the UK cycle network, are likely to receive strong backing.
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The government announced the transport study in 2005 as part of an effort to examine the long-term impact of transport decisions on the UK economy.The government announced the transport study in 2005 as part of an effort to examine the long-term impact of transport decisions on the UK economy.
Sir Rod has examined the possibilities for road pricing, road building, rail and airport investment, as well as the planning system.Sir Rod has examined the possibilities for road pricing, road building, rail and airport investment, as well as the planning system.
For road pricing to work it's going to have to be accompanied by a lot of other measures Stephen Joseph, Transport 2000 href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4860&edition=1&ttl=20061130225317" class="">Send us your comments href="/1/hi/business/6161049.stm" class="">Business wants action READ THE FINDINGS href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/01_12_06_eddingtonreport.pdf" class="">Eddington Transport Study: Sir Rod Eddington's advice to Government [2.1MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here
The report will conclude that the potential benefits of charging motorists for using roads will outweigh the costs of the scheme. His report identifies three strategic transport priorities - congested and growing city catchments, "inter-urban" corridors and important international gateways showing signs of congestion and unreliability.
Road charges will put some people off driving entirely, cut congestion and carbon emissions and could raise up to £16bn a year in payments, Sir Rod is likely to say. Such gateways include Heathrow Airport where 28% of flights are delayed by more than 15 minutes - some of the worst delays in the EU.
Many of the recommendations are in line with government thinking, but will now receive the backing of a respected businessman. The report concludes that the potential benefits of charging motorists for using roads will outweigh the costs of the scheme.
Road charges will put some people off driving entirely, cut congestion and carbon emissions and could raise up to £16bn a year in payments, Sir Rod says.
Sir Rod's report also says:
  • The UK has a greater proportion of its population connected to the strategic road and rail networks than European competitors
  • Management of transport is very inefficient and disjointed in UK - especially for buses
  • Road pricing should only be rolled out after proper testing on pilot schemes
  • Policy should be focused on improving the performance of existing transport networks in those places that are important for the UK's economic success
Many of the recommendations are in line with government thinking, but have now received the backing of a respected businessman.
The prospect of road pricing was given a cool welcome by some.The prospect of road pricing was given a cool welcome by some.
Stephen Joseph, of the Transport 2000 lobby group, told the BBC: "For road pricing to work it's going to have to be accompanied by a lot of other measures, in particular measures to improve alternatives to driving so that it isn't just seen as another tax. The Transport 2000 lobby group said that, for road pricing to work, alternatives to driving must be improved.
"People [should] feel they have some choice about how they travel, rather than just having to pay more money to the government." Shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling said a national road pricing scheme for every road was not "realistically achievable in the near future".
Shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling told the BBC he agreed with the plan in principle, but said a national road pricing scheme for every road was not desirable "or realistically achievable in the near future".
Conservative planConservative plan
Sir Rod's report is expected to warn that how we get around Britain will be vital for future economic success. Sir Rod's report warns that how we get around Britain will be vital for future economic success.
For road pricing to work it's going to have to be accompanied by a lot of other measures Stephen Joseph, Transport 2000 Send us your comments Business wants action
The government has already indicated it will press ahead with trial road-pricing schemes across England - amid fears congestion could rise by 25% by 2015 in big towns and cities.The government has already indicated it will press ahead with trial road-pricing schemes across England - amid fears congestion could rise by 25% by 2015 in big towns and cities.
The draft Road Transport Bill, announced in the Queen's Speech, gives councils more freedom to bring in their own schemes in busy areas.The draft Road Transport Bill, announced in the Queen's Speech, gives councils more freedom to bring in their own schemes in busy areas.
The Conservatives have released their own strategy, Getting Around: Britain's Great Frustration, calling for greener cars on the roads and major long-term projects.The Conservatives have released their own strategy, Getting Around: Britain's Great Frustration, calling for greener cars on the roads and major long-term projects.
They have also not ruled out road pricing but say they would build new roads and have a more integrated transport policy.They have also not ruled out road pricing but say they would build new roads and have a more integrated transport policy.