Reaction to select committee report on the draft local transport Bill

For road pricing to be acceptable to the motorist, local authorities must demonstrate that pricing will be part of the solution to their needs, not just another means to raise money and price them off the roads - but the Select Committee’s Report appears to prioritise investment in public transport ahead of the full package of solutions including better and safer roads, better public transport, and better traffic management which the Royal Automobile Club Foundation believes is essential to tackle local congestion.

The RAC Foundation welcomes the Committee’s call for amendments to the Bill to require full public consultation on the details of any local road pricing scheme and to protect personal privacy, but believes the Committee should have matched this with a recommendation for an independent, publicly-funded body to oversee local pricing schemes. 80% of motorists are so concerned that road pricing will become just another means to raise money and price them off the roads that they want such an independent watchdog to stand up for their interests.

The Foundation also believes the Committee is wrong to rule out road-building as a possible solution to local congestion.

Commenting on the report, David Holmes, Royal Automobile Club Foundation Chairman, said: “Road Pricing revenues must be available for investment in providing additional road capacity if that is the best solution to local needs. Road Pricing can only tackle congestion as part of a package of measures including the creation of additional road capacity where needed, and investment in more and better public transport so that motorists have an alternative to their cars.”

“Road pricing will only be acceptable to motorists with robust safeguards on fairness of charges, proper rights of appeal, protection of privacy, and an independent body to oversee the schemes. Such an independent body must be in place in advance of any individual local scheme. RAC Foundation polling shows that motorists’ support for road pricing increases six-fold if such a body were created to ensure fair play.”

“It is difficult to understand why the Committee has recommended an independent, publicly-funded complaints body for bus users but has not made the same recommendation for an independent body to oversee road pricing.”