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Road Pricing

: As I said earlier, what worried the Committee was the feeling that the Government control the inter-urban road system. They say that they believe in congestion charging and they make many sensible arguments in favour of a road charging scheme, but they are also putting pressures on local authorities by saying, ““We want you to do this, but if you don't you won't get the extra support for the other schemes that concern you.”” However, they are not necessarily proceeding with something that would demonstrate that congestion charging works. I am a bear of little brain, but if one shows people something that works, most are more responsive. Local authorities face enormous pressure from their local population, who are ambivalent about congestion charging schemes, however presented. Even those who benefit from the schemes will still complain about London's congestion scheme. Local authorities must be given positive signs that the report represents a way forward and that it can help. It is only a management tool, and I hope that my Committee has made it clear that congestion charging, whether inter-urban or local, can only be a management tool. If the United Kingdom continues to buy the combustion engine at the rate at which it does every week, we shall face considerable problems. However, the Government should at least have the honesty, clarity and confidence not to say, ““Well, we'll think about this for another two years and then we'll set out where our pilot schemes will be.”” They should be saying, ““We know that we cannot continue this way. We know that traffic is rising at rates that we find uncomfortable—in cities, in villages and on our inter-urban roads. This is a way forward, and this is what we intend to do.”” In the next six months, the Government could announce a timetable and a pilot area for the scheme. They could offer incentives to local authorities and positive encouragement to people to face up to difficult questions.