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To: maceng2 who wrote (793)6/5/2005 4:04:25 AM
From: maceng2  Read Replies (2) of 1417
 
'Pay-as-you-go' road charge plan

news.bbc.co.uk

(for my reaction to the proposal, I would have ask my butler to hand me my rifle.. i.e on sighting Alistar Darling, "Jeeves, my rifle please, ensure it is loaded with ammunition of the highest grade"... Important note: this is just a joke, I wouldn't really shoot Alistar Darling btw... pb)

New charges could be used to tackle road congestion
Drivers could pay up to £1.34 a mile in "pay-as-you go" road charges under new government plans.
The charges, aimed at reducing Britain's worsening traffic congestion, would replace road tax and petrol duty, Alistair Darling has told newspapers.

The transport secretary said the change was essential if Britain was to avoid "LA-style gridlock".

It would also mean every vehicle would have a black box to allow a satellite system to track their journey.

Unless action is taken now, the country could face gridlock within two decades

Alistair Darling

Mr Darling has outlined his proposals in several of Sunday's newspapers - previewing a speech he will give to the Social Market Foundation on Thursday.

A satellite tracking system would be used to enforce the toll, with prices varying from as little as 2p per mile for driving on a quiet road out of the rush hour to £1.34 for motorways at peak times.

'Facing gridlock'

The Department of Transport says the scheme would be fairer because those who travel greater distances would pay the most.

"We have got to do everything we can during the course of this parliament to decide whether or not we go with road pricing," Mr Darling said.

"Unless action is taken now, the country could face gridlock within two decades."

If public reaction is favourable, as the government expects, a pilot scheme planned for the Leeds area could be rolled out nationwide within the next 10 years.

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