Drivers could face tolls say Government leaders

Date posted: November 27, 2012

Government leaders have warned that drivers could face road tolls so that the Government can raise the money it needs to sort out Britain’s road network.

Potholes and increasing traffic have long been a problem on Britain’s roads but the Local Government Association has claimed that the Government needs to consider ways to fund such problems, such as road tolls.

As a result, the Government is set to announce the results of a joint Treasury-Department for Transport review into the major road network within the next few weeks.

According to a report, “Ministers are looking at ways to attract investment into the road network and one option under consideration would see the Highways Agency privatised on similar lines to the water and electricity industry.”

A report by the Local Government Association, has warned that drivers will have to ‘foot the bill,’ despite the Coalition’s decision to rule out imposing charges for using Britain’s existing road network.

“The challenge the Government faces is that attracting private investment is seen as requiring an income stream from the motorist to the operator to provide a return on investment,” the report says.

“This, it says, could involve linking vehicle excise and fuel duties more closely to road use or even some form of pay as you drive road charging – ‘requiring some form of surveillance.’”

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