Motorists may have to pay higher road tax to use motorways

Drivers may have to pay extra to use A-roads and motorways under proposals being considered by the Government.

Plans revealed yesterday show motorists who use major trunk roads might have to pay a higher rate of Vehicle Exercise Duty (VED), while drivers who use less-busy local roads would pay a lower rate.

Drivers who would be paying the higher rate would be allowed to use any road they liked, therefore creating a system being branded a "two-tier road tax".

The Daily Telegraph says the system is just one being considered by the Government as it seeks ways of overhauling VED. It's believed ministers are debating the propositions but are unconvinced by the two-tier system.

A network of automatic numberplate recognition cameras could be used to catch any drivers who were using the motorways without paying the higher rate.

A spokesman for the department said: "The department and Treasury are currently carrying out a feasibility study to review new ownership and financing models for the strategic road network.

This is looking at how best we can secure investment in the network to increase capacity and boost economic growth.

"The Government has made clear it will not implement tolls on existing road capacity and has no plans to replace existing motoring taxes with pay-as-you-go road charging."

But motoring organisation the AA has worries over the plan. Andrew Howard, the AA's head of road safety, told AOL Cars: "We always have concerns about changes to VED, but this proposal is of particular concern.

"One of the biggest worries is that we believe a "two-tier" system would divert 30 per cent of the nation's motorway traffic onto local, country roads.

"This creates a number of problems - most notably road safety, quality of life and congestion due to the increased number of vehicles using these roads."

Howard also told us a "two-tier" system creates even more questions such as what would happen to road users who want to use motorways occasionally?

"We're unsure of what would occur if road users had to use motorways in cases of emergency or, more simply, if they wanted to use them occasionally. If the answer is no, then this would be a major problem."

Howard added the system could create a "two-class" system on the nation's roads - those who could afford to use motorways and those who could not. "That is just wrong," said Howard.

What do you think? Would you be in favour a "two-tier" system. Let us know by posting your comments below