A report published today by the RAC Foundation concludes that some form of 'pay as you go' road charging is inevitable in England if the country is to avoid traffic gridlock in the coming decades.
In the report, RAC Foundation director Professor Glaister has identified several problems that are certain to face road users and the government in the near future, not least is the fact that we seem to have a lack of vision for the future of the road network.
Population growth and economic recovery are very likely to occur; Professor Glaister predicts this to cause a 33% increase in traffic by 2025. This will undoubtedly lead to increased congestion and unreliable journey times, both for private and public transport.
Alongside these likely issues, there will be an imperative to meet carbon reduction targets from road transport, as well as a fall in fuel duty revenue as cars become more fuel efficient and increasingly use ultra low carbon fuels such as electricity. With these factors likely to coincide in the coming few years, something will inevitably need to be altered regarding the UK's road network.
Professor Glaister said: "In terms of keeping the country moving we are almost at the end of the road. The population is rising and traffic is forecast to grow too. Something needs to be done. At the moment, nothing is."
He believes one long term answer is to make the running of the road network more arm's length from government and to introduce a 'pay as you go' system. Such a scheme would help change driver behaviour and deliver benefits such as an easing of congestion, reduced environmental damage and increasing journey reliability.
The launch of the RAC report coincides with an Ipsos MORI survey which reveals that 46% of the British population support a charging system on the motorways and major roads which also contains measures including the abolition of road tax and a cut in fuel duty. This survey showed 58% of drivers agreed that a 'pay as you go' system across all roads would make them think about how much they drive.
Professor Glaister insists a system of charging motorists per mile travelled must come with:
* A cut in fuel duty and road tax
* A governing body to develop and implement a long term strategy for enhancing the road network
* A guaranteed sum of revenue put aside to pay for the work
* A regulator to make sure the work is done efficiently
* More reliable journey times and compensation for delays
Professor Glaister continued: "The Ipsos MORI poll shows that most people are instinctively opposed to road user charging when they think it is an extra tax. But when the details are explained and they realise the benefits then the opposition falls away dramatically. It is also telling that less than 1% of those opposed to 'pay as you go' see invasion of privacy as a major reason for objection."
"Motorists are resentful of the relentless rise in the cost of fuel, and feel short-changed by the amount spent on the road network. But these proposals address such issues. If politicians shy away from making difficult choices then so be it, but it will be the next generation which has to live with the consequences."
