We asked a number of groups with different points of view to give their opinions on how best to tackle road congestion. These views are their own and are presented here unedited to help inform the debate.
David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the national voice of local business. It represents over 100,000 member businesses, which in turn employ over five million people
Read David Frost’s views
The transport infrastructure in Britain is failing British business. Our roads are overly congested and our public transport system cannot cope. Congestion on our roads alone is costing business £17 billion a year and this is harming the UK’s competitiveness. Increased capacity is sorely needed on Britain’s roads yet of the £42 billion taken in taxes from all road users the Government spends just £1.6 billion a year on the construction of trunk roads and motorways.
But its not just roads we need to see improved, our public transport system needs increased investment and improvement across the board if the Government is expecting more and more people to rely on it.
Our members - small and medium sized business from across the UK - have had enough and want a transport system fit for the 21st century. It is because of this that businesses are now prepared to contemplate the principle of road pricing. A recent survey of our members found that 87 per cent are in favour of some form of road user charging.
The caveat to this is that any money raised must be offset by a reduction in other forms of tax such as fuel duty and road tax and that it be ring fenced towards improving transport infrastructure. Business will expect to see clear and tangible benefits from what they are paying. To gain support any proposals on road pricing must not be just an extra tax but form part of a thorough, strategic plan on the future of transport in the UK.
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