A new plan, being considered by ministers could see motorists pay higher road tax for using motorways – a “two tier” road tax system. The proposed scheme would see drivers who only drive locally and stay off major roads paying a lower rate of Vehicle Excise Duty than those who use motorways.
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said “The department and Treasury are currently carrying out a feasibility study to review new ownership and financing models for the strategic road network.
“This is looking at how best we can secure investment in the network to increase capacity and boost economic growth.
“The government has made clear it will not implement tolls on existing road capacity and has no plans to replace existing motoring taxes with pay-as-you-go road charging.”
David Cameron has said that he wants to kick-start the economy by permitting investment funds and companies to compete to construct, maintain and run trunk roads and motorways – Read More. Drivers wouldn’t pay tolls to use roads already in place, which would be privatised, but firms would be allowed to develop additional pay-as-you-go lanes for motorists to use to get around congestion.
Oct, 31, 2012