MP calls for tolls on roads
Date: 03/06/2008 12:00:00
Drivers could face tolls on certain roads in exchange for tax discounts if one MP's plans become a reality.
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker wants to see route charging to ensure motorists cut back on car journeys.
He said it was "good news" transport was now priced more according to carbon emissions but said those hardest hit live in rural areas where car travel is essential.
Mr Baker told the GMTV Sunday programme the government should "try and get a system in place which penalises those journeys which can be avoided, particularly those which are run on long trunk roads, parallel to railway lines for example".
His comments could be welcomed by some drivers who use rural roads and have struggled with car tax, petrol price rises, servicing and
car insurance costs.
Mr Baker also said road pricing could be used as a method of reducing the impact of fuel duty.
Last year Mr Baker criticised the government for letting the price of bus and train tickets continue to rise, saying this meant people were being encouraged to continue to use cars and impact the environment.