A STUDY group to press the case for the introduction of city-centre congestion charges for motorists has been set up by the former Conservative transport minister, Steven Norris.
Mr Norris, now director-general of the Road Haulage Association, believes that the Government will be prepared to look seriously at the idea, which fell out of favour in Tory transport circles over fears of a backlash against a new road "tax".
The study group, the Centre for the Management of Traffic and the Environment, maintains that such charges could become politically attractive if they were used to offset levels of council tax, as well as improving public transport.
Research into road-pricing in London has suggested that commuters could face charges of up to £2,000 a year.
Mr Norris said: "In many parts of the country, congestion charges could actually eliminate council tax. If local motorists knew that they would view road-pricing in a different light."
Haulage companies had nothing to fear from the policy, he added, because councils would not to wish to impose extra costs on them which would then be passed on to consumers.
Motorists would be twice as likely to drive dangerously if road-pricing was based on time spent on the road according to researchers at Leeds University.
