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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| National road tolls 'in 10 years' | National road tolls 'in 10 years' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| National road tolls could be brought in within a decade, Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander has said. | National road tolls could be brought in within a decade, Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander has said. |
| He admitted a "still sceptical" public had yet to be won over to the benefits of road pricing - but said something had to be done to prevent gridlock. | He admitted a "still sceptical" public had yet to be won over to the benefits of road pricing - but said something had to be done to prevent gridlock. |
| Drivers needed first-hand experience of road pricing through pilot schemes in Manchester, Birmingham and elsewhere within the next five years, he said. | Drivers needed first-hand experience of road pricing through pilot schemes in Manchester, Birmingham and elsewhere within the next five years, he said. |
| Last week a transport study suggested road charges could halve congestion. | Last week a transport study suggested road charges could halve congestion. |
| The Treasury-commissioned study led by former BA chief Rod Eddington said road pricing could benefit the economy by £28bn a year. | The Treasury-commissioned study led by former BA chief Rod Eddington said road pricing could benefit the economy by £28bn a year. |
| 'Car park' gridlock | 'Car park' gridlock |
| Asked whether road pricing was inevitable, Mr Alexander told BBC One's AM programme that it was a "debate that we need to have" and said Sir Rod's report was a major contribution to that debate. | Asked whether road pricing was inevitable, Mr Alexander told BBC One's AM programme that it was a "debate that we need to have" and said Sir Rod's report was a major contribution to that debate. |
| He said the number of vehicles on British roads had gone up from 26 million in 1997 to 33 million. Ministers fear that congestion could rise by up to 25% by 2015 in big towns and cities, if nothing is done. | He said the number of vehicles on British roads had gone up from 26 million in 1997 to 33 million. Ministers fear that congestion could rise by up to 25% by 2015 in big towns and cities, if nothing is done. |
| See forecast maps for congestion in the UK in 2025 with and without road pricingEnlarge Map | |
| "Unless we're going to face the alternative of US-style gridlock with some of our busiest roads simply becoming car parks then action is necessary." | "Unless we're going to face the alternative of US-style gridlock with some of our busiest roads simply becoming car parks then action is necessary." |
| But he ruled out more road-building programmes as a solution, saying: " I think most informed commentators realise we can't simply build our way out of the challenge of congestion." | But he ruled out more road-building programmes as a solution, saying: " I think most informed commentators realise we can't simply build our way out of the challenge of congestion." |
| He said the government was working closely with the regions involved in trial road-pricing schemes and were expecting bids by next summer. | He said the government was working closely with the regions involved in trial road-pricing schemes and were expecting bids by next summer. |
| It would mean regional pilots within the next four to five years, and the possibility of a national scheme in about a decade's time. | It would mean regional pilots within the next four to five years, and the possibility of a national scheme in about a decade's time. |
| But he added that people had to be given more choice about how to get around. | But he added that people had to be given more choice about how to get around. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY It's another way to squeeze money out of us that we cannot afford. Valerie Cooke, Hertfordshire Send us your comments | |
| "I have always believed the only circumstances in which road pricing could be judged a success was if it was partnered with proper investment in public transport," said Mr Alexander. | "I have always believed the only circumstances in which road pricing could be judged a success was if it was partnered with proper investment in public transport," said Mr Alexander. |
| Making more room on the railways, for example through longer trains or possibly double-decker trains, might be one way of offering people more choice of transport, he said. | Making more room on the railways, for example through longer trains or possibly double-decker trains, might be one way of offering people more choice of transport, he said. |
| Speaking later, shadow chancellor George Osbourne said the Conservatives were "sympathetic" to road pricing. | Speaking later, shadow chancellor George Osbourne said the Conservatives were "sympathetic" to road pricing. |
| He said he could see the M6 toll road had brought "great benefits" to the West Midlands. | He said he could see the M6 toll road had brought "great benefits" to the West Midlands. |
| But he added: "I think road pricing should be linked directly to improvements in transport infrastructure and should not be used an excuse to increase the overall level of taxation." | But he added: "I think road pricing should be linked directly to improvements in transport infrastructure and should not be used an excuse to increase the overall level of taxation." |