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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| More road-charging debate pledged | More road-charging debate pledged |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The transport secretary has pledged to listen to opponents of the introduction of UK road charging. | The transport secretary has pledged to listen to opponents of the introduction of UK road charging. |
| Douglas Alexander said he will hear the concerns of more than a million people who signed a petition opposing pay-as-you-drive road charges. | Douglas Alexander said he will hear the concerns of more than a million people who signed a petition opposing pay-as-you-drive road charges. |
| The government has insisted that doing nothing would lead to a 25% increase in congestion in less than a decade. | The government has insisted that doing nothing would lead to a 25% increase in congestion in less than a decade. |
| But Mr Alexander said it was important to have a proper debate on the subject and consider a range of views. | But Mr Alexander said it was important to have a proper debate on the subject and consider a range of views. |
| The petition, which is the most popular on the Downing Street website, calls for the scrapping of the "planned vehicle tracking and road pricing policy". | The petition, which is the most popular on the Downing Street website, calls for the scrapping of the "planned vehicle tracking and road pricing policy". |
| It was posted by Peter Roberts, from Telford, Shropshire, who describes charging as an "unfair tax". | It was posted by Peter Roberts, from Telford, Shropshire, who describes charging as an "unfair tax". |
| Mr Roberts - whose petition broke through the million-signature barrier on Saturday - believes charging is unfair on poor people and those who live apart from their families. | Mr Roberts - whose petition broke through the million-signature barrier on Saturday - believes charging is unfair on poor people and those who live apart from their families. |
| 'No choice' | 'No choice' |
| When asked if he would take into account the views of those who signed the petition, Mr Alexander told the BBC that the government would "listen to people". | When asked if he would take into account the views of those who signed the petition, Mr Alexander told the BBC that the government would "listen to people". |
| It was important to "deliberate, discuss" and then take a decision, he said. | It was important to "deliberate, discuss" and then take a decision, he said. |
| "Ultimately, it will be a matter for parliament to make decisions but it is important that people have the chance to have their say and no doubt people will offer a range of opinions during that debate." | "Ultimately, it will be a matter for parliament to make decisions but it is important that people have the chance to have their say and no doubt people will offer a range of opinions during that debate." |
| Peter Roberts believes road charging is unfair | Peter Roberts believes road charging is unfair |
| He added that people needed to recognise that the UK did not have a choice "but to deal with congestion". | He added that people needed to recognise that the UK did not have a choice "but to deal with congestion". |
| "Our roads are literally filling up," he said. | "Our roads are literally filling up," he said. |
| The prime minister's official spokesman said it was a "lively debate" but that "debate in itself does not produce policy". | The prime minister's official spokesman said it was a "lively debate" but that "debate in itself does not produce policy". |
| But Labour MP John Spellar told the BBC's Today programme that the government was too busy looking at the "big idea" to see the "small boring details" that would provide the real solutions to congestion. | But Labour MP John Spellar told the BBC's Today programme that the government was too busy looking at the "big idea" to see the "small boring details" that would provide the real solutions to congestion. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY We already have road charging. It's called fuel duty Andy Metcalfe, Leeds class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5523&start=0&edition=1&ttl=20070212102227">Send us your comments He said flexible working hours, staggered school opening, improved traffic signals and the use of the hard shoulder on motorways would have a significant impact on congestion. | |
| "The big idea doesn't have public acceptance," he said. | "The big idea doesn't have public acceptance," he said. |
| 'Big Brother' | 'Big Brother' |
| Paul Biggs, spokesman for the Association of British Drivers, told GMTV that the petition showed that motorists did not want road charging. | Paul Biggs, spokesman for the Association of British Drivers, told GMTV that the petition showed that motorists did not want road charging. |
| He said: "The only way road pricing can work is to actually price people off the roads. | He said: "The only way road pricing can work is to actually price people off the roads. |
| "That is one reason they will sign the petition. Another reason they will sign it is that are going to be trapped and traced wherever they drive. | "That is one reason they will sign the petition. Another reason they will sign it is that are going to be trapped and traced wherever they drive. |
| "It is Big Brother - and they don't want that." | "It is Big Brother - and they don't want that." |
| Plans to introduce a nationwide "pay-as-you-drive" system were unveiled by former Transport Secretary Alistair Darling in 2005. | Plans to introduce a nationwide "pay-as-you-drive" system were unveiled by former Transport Secretary Alistair Darling in 2005. |
| Mr Darling's successor, Mr Alexander, has since suggested that road pricing could be brought in within a decade and that regional trials are planned. | Mr Darling's successor, Mr Alexander, has since suggested that road pricing could be brought in within a decade and that regional trials are planned. |