The UK Government expects a rise in population of 16% by 2033 and a return to economic growth. All indications are that road traffic and congestion will increase. Under the present system more expenditure on roads requires more funding from the Exchequer. Unless this is changed the general financial crisis will make it almost impossible to find resources to manage and cater for these growing needs. Currently there is no direct relationship between the 'charges' paid by users - some 47 billion pounds sterling in 2009 - and the quantity and quality of what is provided in return. There are neither guaranteed standards of journey speed and reliability, nor compensation for delays incurred by the road-travelling public, which is common for other modes of transport. Congestion problems could be greatly eased by replacing some of the present taxes with direct charges based on distance travelled. These might vary by time and place to reflect the local level of congestion. But such a proposal for change must offer benefits for road users (the majority of the population) that are clear and credible or it will be rejected, as past governments have discovered. Ways forward include creating one of the following: (1) an enhanced Highways Agency with full maintenance and capital investment responsibility for its entire network (motorways and trunk roads, and possibly some other major roads). This body would receive income direct from government, perhaps through shadow tolls, with the eventual possibility of introducing road user charging, coupled with a reduction in fuel duty and possibly road tax (VED); (2) a public corporation or public trust with shadow tolls. This is similar to (1), except that the independence of the body would be established in law; (3) a public corporation or public trust with direct charges (introduced alongside a reduction in motoring taxation); (4) a regulated private utility with shadow tolls; or (5) a regulated private utility with direct road user charges. For the full text of this document see: http://www.racfoundation.org/assets/rac_foundation/content/downloadable…
Samenvatting