Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander is seeking powers to introduce toll roads across the UK, according to a leaked letter obtained by the Sunday Times. The letter outlines plans for a bill to be presented next year, aimed at combating road congestion through widespread tolls.
Currently, local authorities propose road-charging schemes, such as London's congestion charge, for ministerial approval. However, Mr Alexander argues for national standards and prices to prevent confusion from differing local schemes. His programme would charge motorists on a pay-as-you-go basis using hi-tech black boxes to record distances on toll roads.
The letter to Commons Leader Jack Straw, dated July 20, indicates that charges could apply not only in city centres but also on trunk roads. Mr Alexander wrote that the bill's main purpose is to cut congestion and improve public transport, particularly in major cities outside London, and to pave the way for a national road-pricing scheme in the medium to long term.
He proposed reforming local scheme approvals to ensure consistency with a national framework, interoperability, and appropriate pricing and resource use. The letter also mentions considering pilots on the trunk road network as a step towards national road pricing.
