UK Government considers charging for use of motorways

The UK Government is considering plans that could see motorists pay an annual fee of up to US$236.99 (£150) to use the country's motorways and trunk roads. The charges would be introduced as part of a move to reform vehicle excise duty, which currently raises $9.442 billion (£6bn) per year. Although the Government has dismissed the imposition of a flat-rate fee on those using the UK's largest roads, it has said that it is looking into introducing more sophisticated access charges. These would vary according
February 12, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
The UK Government is considering plans that could see motorists pay an annual fee of up to US$236.99 (£150) to use the country's motorways and trunk roads. The charges would be introduced as part of a move to reform vehicle excise duty, which currently raises $9.442 billion (£6bn) per year.

Although the Government has dismissed the imposition of a flat-rate fee on those using the UK's largest roads, it has said that it is looking into introducing more sophisticated access charges. These would vary according to several factors, such as by the weight of the vehicle or by a vehicle's CO2 emissions. The Government has said that these charges would be offset by a cut in the headline road tax rate. However, the 3440 AA motoring organisation believes that the measures will have a negative impact on low income households, who may find themselves confined to local roads.

For more information on companies in this article

AA

Related Content

  • Debating infrastructure funding solutions
    March 21, 2012
    With funding of road, bridge, tunnel and highway infrastructure a topic of debate in many developed and developing nations at present, different solutions are in the frame for discussion. Funding highway construction and maintenance through taxation is falling out of favour in many countries, simply because the costs of meeting transport infrastructure needs are so vast.
    Read More
  • Think-tank calls for road network share giveaway
    July 3, 2012
    Leading UK think-tank, The Social Market Foundation (SMF), argues in a new report, Roads to Recovery, that each citizen should be given a free, tradable share in the road network worth over £1,500 (€1,700); road user charges should be introduced, and road tax abolished. The SMF claims the UK’s “creaking transport infrastructure” makes economic recovery harder, with congestion predicted to cost businesses and households an extra £22 billion a year by 2025.
    Read More
  • Highways: environmental problem or environmental enhancement?
    March 21, 2016
    Highways need not be a blight on the countryside that many people, urban planners included, believe they will always be. By Bram Miller, director, and Martin Broderick, environmental consultant, at Ramboll Environ While the world’s highway networks bring undoubted economic and social benefits, they are generally perceived to lead to negative environmental impacts. Some may consider this an unfair reputation, but it is difficult to argue that in the majority of cases both the construction and operation of
    Read More
  • Make the case for electronic tolling, ASECAP conference delegates heard
    September 14, 2015
    Mobility pricing and electronic tolling is the future, delegates to a recent ASECAP Study Days conference, reports Geoff Hadwick at the Lisbon event. The international road tolling industry is failing to make its case and the sector is losing out to other social and political lobby groups. As a result, “tolling is still on the sidelines”, according to the head of the Washington-based International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association. IBTTA chief executive Pat Jones issued his stark warning at the
    Read More

Highlighted Content