Book Description

This report focuses on the introduction of local road charging schemes designed to tackle problems of urban congestion. It contains case studies of schemes implemented in Nottingham, Bristol and Durham, as well as examining the congestion charging scheme to be shortly implemented in London. Issues discussed include: how to measure the benefits of such schemes; the process of introducing them; the level of charge and use of revenue raised from them; current and future technology requirements of road charging schemes. Concerns are considered regarding the impact of the scheme on the low paid and on public service and voluntary sector workers; the knock-on effects on public transport capacity; and the risk that schemes may merely displace traffic from city centre to suburban road networks. Overall, the Committee's report states that although it does not doubt the Government's willingness to tackle the problem of urban congestion, its approach towards charging schemes risks being 'fudged, muddled, compromised and undermined'. A more constructive and focused approach is required to promote the use of charging schemes, and the lessons from the London scheme will be of vital importance for their future development on a national scale.