(1888PressRelease)
February 13, 2007 - Transport secretary Douglas Alexander argues that "doing nothing" is no longer an option, pointing to a 60 per cent rise in congestion over the past 20 years.
However, he attempted to reassure motorists that a nationwide road pricing initiative would not be enacted unless it had pubic support. Nevertheless, his comments suggested that he intended to win the debate by converting the public to the benefits of road pricing, rather than listening to the motoring lobby.
Speaking to Radio 4's Today programme this morning he promised that the government would listen to public concerns and welcomed the debate on congestion solutions.
"I welcome the opportunity to take forward what I asked for in my first speed as secretary of state for transport, which was to take forwards the debate on road pricing.
"We have said we want a national debate about road pricing and ultimately it will be a matter for parliament to make decisions but it is important that people have the chance to have their say."
Last week, in an interview with the Mirror, Mr Alexander said that road pricing would not go ahead unless it had public support.
"Unless motorists and families can see the benefits of bringing in a national road pricing system then it simply won't happen," he said.
However, the Department for Transport quickly moved to clarify his comments, claiming that it would not be the case that the public could block a charging scheme, but rather a call for more debate.
A spokesman told PA: "Public acceptability of such schemes is one of the major milestones that has to be achieved as well as carrying out the pilot schemes.
"We have always said that we have to see the results of the pilot schemes before we make a decision on a national road charging scheme."
Mr Alexander was speaking as an anti road pricing petition, posted on the Downing Street website, received over one million signatories. The government plans to write to each supporter and has promised a dialogue with the author, Peter Roberts, 46, from Telford, Shropshire.
Speaking to the Mirror, Mr Alexander criticised the petition for its flawed interpretation of the proposals. "Frankly if we were proposing what the petition suggests, I would share the concerns," he said.
Acknowledging the level of opposition to the government's tentative road pricing schemes, the transport minister maintained that: "We don't have the luxury of doing nothing if we are to avoid the American-style gridlock we see on the other side of the Atlantic."
As part of the debate, Mr Alexander has called on his critics to propose sensible alternatives to cutting congestion. In an interview with the Guardian he said: "Feeling strongly about an issue is not a substitute for coming up with proposals to tackle congestion.
"Anyone who has found themselves in a traffic jam recently recognises that we cannot wish away congestion."
The latest research from the RAC Foundation reports that company car drivers spend more than 11 days a year stuck in congestion and Mr
Alexander quoted figures that show the number of vehicles on the roads has increased by 26 million in 1996 to 33 million.
Road charging would see motorists charged up to ?1.50 a mile to travel on some routes during peak times, falling to two pence a mile. Supporters claim it could dramatically cut congestion but the proposal has failed to win over many motorists.
Paul Biggs, from the Association of British Drivers, points out that the only way for road charging to work is to price people off the roads, although advocates claim that a staggered pricing system would give drivers the incentive to travel outside peak periods.
Meanwhile, the RAC Foundation supports the idea in principle and estimates that ten per cent of the UK road network could be suited to road pricing. Nevertheless, director Edmund King expressed scepticism that it can be sold to the public, pointing to the level of opposition to the westwards expansion of the congestion charge.
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