Further calls for road tolls

The way in which roads in the UK are funded needs a serious rethink, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Road tolling and a so-called ‘user charges’ are the major plans that the lobby group has proposed. This would help cover a shortfall in finances to fix the UK’s roads as well as tackling the problem of congestion.

According to the group there is currently a £10bn shortfall in funding for Highways Agency projects, while revenue from vehicle excise duty and fuel duty is expected to drop further as customers continue to buy more economical cars.

At the same time it is estimated that traffic jams currently cost the UK up to £8 billion. This is expected to rise to £22bn by 2025, the CBI said.

The CBI believes that the responsibility of the roads be taken out of the Government’s hands and instead be given to private companies.

The lobbying group suggests that a proportion of motorists taxes could converted to a user charge, which would be controlled by the regulator. The charge would then be paid to private companies who would operate regional sections of the UK road network.

However, the CBI has warned that this may not be enough in the long term and that road tolls implemented by private operators could help supplement it.

The announcement follows calls from a number of MPs for tolls to be implemented in the UK. Lib Dem Transport Minister, Norman Baker, has been pushing for road pricing, while Andrea Leadsom, Tory MP for South Northamptonshire, has also supported the idea.