Martin Jones, head of roads strategy division at the Department for Transport gave a talk on progress on road charging. A feasibility study dealing with practical problems has been released. There would be economic benefits through time savings, even under a revenue neutral system. The environment would benefit through reduced pollution.

It was noted that road charging was not seen as a hot election issue and it was decided to proceed with a regional scheme to prove it would work.

Due to reluctance by the regions it was decided to include road charging in the Transport Innovations scheme and several proposals have now emerged. Manchester Metro extensions have been approved largely as a result of a road charging scheme having been proposed. Legislation is now in place permitting introduction of pilot schemes.

Satellite technology is seen as the long-term objective for a national scheme.

As pilot schemes would impose an additional charge on existing taxation, commitments would be made to improve public transport. This needs to be pre-planned in order to counter media claims of motorists being milked.

Climate change issues would be dealt with after road pricing had been introduced rather than bolt on too many objectives to start with as would a charging mechanism to discourage “gas guzzlers” etc.

The point was made that climate change is an issue of growing public concern and could be used to grow public acceptance of road pricing but DfT research does not indicate strong opposition from public opinion, however.

Climate Change and the Environmental Audit Report

Voluntary agreements are not working and vehicle excise duty amendments and the fuel tax escalator are being reconsidered. Local rail and bus services are seen as vital for a sustainable agenda and it is suggested aviation should be tackled through airport taxes.

There is a lack of knowledge about carbon dioxide emissions from new road schemes and pressure is building for a new policy on road speed limits.

The new Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander has shown real concern about climate change issues. T2000 are due to have a meeting with him on 16 October 2006.

Denise Carlo has twice written to Colin Challen MP seeking a chance to do a presentation to the All Party Climate Change Group but has had no reply to date.

George Mombio is reported to have said that all freight should go by rail but all passenger trains should be scrapped and passengers transferred to road coaches!

Comprehensive Spending Review meeting with TAR group on 5 September 2006 discussed the need for spending on measures to combat climate change. It was clear the DfT is still not engaged with climate change issues.

Barker 2 Review: Transport 2000 has challenged the suggestions for relaxing planning restrictions for out-of- town planning applications and related economic issues.

Ports Consultation: A joint TAR submission highlighted the need for funding for rail access to ports.