THE West Midlands is the leading candidate to pilot a system of charging drivers for each mile they travel.
The Government is offering £18 million over the next three years to local authorities willing to serve as pioneers for nationwide congestion charging. Unlike the flat rate of £8 a day for driving in Central London, the new toll would vary according to distance and the level of congestion.
A DfT feasibility study concluded last year that the top rate of £1.34 a mile would be paid by only 0.5 per cent of drivers on the busiest roads. More than 80 per cent would pay 8p a mile or less.
Alistair Darling, the Transport Secretary, has said that he would consider abolishing fuel duty and road tax and replacing them with a single distance-based charge.
He recently met the leaders of seven local authorities in the West Midlands to discuss a pilot of the road toll scheme which could involve more than a million drivers. Transport for London is also keen to introduce further tolls on congested roads in the capital.
Mr Darling is due to announce by the end of November details of the trials.
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