Would you accept -

[observer]

- Road Charging? Instead, they are encouraging Local Authorities to fire the bullet (EG: Manchester gets funding for it's trams, PROVIDING it introduces road charges). With car tax providing ?44billion to the Exchequer, but Transport expenditure at only ?8billion, drivers may feel somewhat cheated already. Add to this ?1billion from parking fines and over ?100million from speeding fines; and one wonders why we can't have free and improved public transport alternatives, to attract us away from our cars? :confused:

[Gary]

Well all I can say is that something has to be done to discourage people using their vehicles all the time instead of walking, cycling , getting the bus or train.

If pricing people off thew road is the only solution to save the planet, no matter how unpopular it is - it needs to be done.

But that doesn't win any votes does it?

[asperity]

Pricing people off the roads would be an admirable policy if there was an efficient and affordable alternative in place. Unfortunately there isn't and the motorist is seen as a convenient cash cow. It's like smoking. If the government was serious about stopping people smoking they would make the practice illegal, but then the treasury would lose all that lovely revenue. Until the government gets its act together and produces a rational transport policy we are going to be stuck in the same rut. :onfire: :onfire:

[observer]

There are ways to produce an almost instant reduction in the volume of traffic - but turkeys don't vote for Christmas.

[Peter T]

Originally posted by Gary:

 

If pricing people off thew road is the only solution to save the planet, no matter how unpopular it is - it needs to be done.

But that doesn't win any votes does it?

[/QB]

What's saving the planet got to do with it?

I thought the problem was congestion.

 

Perhaps banning football and Rugby would reduce the number of cars on the road?

[observer]

It's simple: reduce the number of qualified drivers, and you reduce the amount of traffic - oops forgot - less drivers = less tax revenue.

[AdrianR]

bang on the button there.

 

?40bn raised from road users and ?7bn spent on roads. ?30bn therefore goes to the exchequer to spend.

 

If they are succesful in reducign car use, then revenue drops. Where else do they get it? Increase income tax or create more stealth taxes.

 

As for road chargign, the principle is floored in that a minimum (64% estimated for Manchester) have to drive whatever the cost, just to keep the system viable. Manchester alone will have a ?125m interest bill p.a. on the borrowed money secured against the charges they intend to implement.

 

Any less than 64% still driving, then they lose money and the Manchester Council tax payer picks up the bill.

 

In addition substantial pre toll investment needs to be made to cover the 30% plus who will be forced to change to other mthods of transport.

 

With traisn full to bursting at peak hour then this is unlikley to happen for say 10 years plus in any event.

 

Fianlly the Manchester pilot makes no provision for reduced revenue from the motorist as a result. How long will it be before central government says they want a slice of the revenue to make up for the same?

 

See www manchestertolltax com

[little fella]

If the motor industry were to produce a very small electric car, something on the lines of the current mobility scooter but for two people and it was zero taxed would that not reduce congestion reduce pollution?

The only problem is less money for government.

Where are the goal posts?

[asperity]

1. It won't reduce pollution because the batteries have to be charged somehow.

2. Congestion would be increased because of the slow speed of the vehicle you suggest.

3. Can you imagine the road rage produced by being cut up by someone in a car that can do 0.25 MPH faster than yours

[observer]

Already happens in the Market!

[wahl]

there would be no need to even consider road charging if the department of transport got rid of their antiquated ideas and overpaid managers and consultants . A way of dealing with traffic is to build adequate roads, take long distance travellers off road on to rail with cheap network of rail terminals. Could also take traffic such as post office trunkers off local roads by giving them own access to motorways

the treasury has robbed the drivers of this country for too long and it is time that some of the stolen money is put back into road network developments.

By the way you have forgotten browns robber tax on fuel which is 80 pence per litre or ?3.68 per gallon robbery by anyones standards!!!

[observer]

We are as addicted to our cars, as smokers are to fags or drinkers to booze; therefore providing Government with a compliant cash-cow.

 

[ 15.11.2007, 12:35: Message edited by: observer ]

[asperity]

If they were to REDUCE tax for households without a car as well, I'd get rid of mine tomorrow.

[observer]

Don't think you need a road fund licence (tax), if you havn't got a road vehicle; and you don't need petrol, unless your sniffing it?!

[observer]

A right of centre think tank, has said that Britain's Roads are "not fit for purpose" - do we agree?!

[wolfie]

With the congestion they are good enough to park on