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Road pricing plans will only succeed with upfront investment in transport infrastructure

13/06/08 | 14:59

Responding to the Commons transport select committee's findings on road pricing released today, David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

"Many businesses would support the principle of road pricing, but only where the aim of the charge is to significantly reduce congestion. Road pricing needs to form a logical part of local transport infrastructure, helping to facilitate improvement where and when it is needed.

"Crucially, the extra revenue raised from road pricing cannot simply be absorbed into the general tax fund. Revenue needs to recycled back into our already buckling transport network. Investment in new transport infrastructure needs to be made in advance of any additional charge being levied. Business will not be bought off with promises of investment that will not be seen until years into the future. When this process is properly in place, wider support for road pricing will be heard from both motorists and local authorities who are charged with enforcing the unpopular plans."

Ends

Media Contacts:

Fiona Cunningham
Tel: 020 7654 5812
Email: f.cunningham@britishchambers.org.uk

Sam Turvey
Tel: 020 7654 5813
Email: s.turvey@britishchambers.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the National Voice of Local Business.
The BCC sits at the heart of a powerful nationwide network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce serving business across the UK, which employ over five million people.

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