Government unveils toll road plan
Posted by James Cox on Friday, 20 Jul 2012, 15:40 in UK Motoring
The government has announced plans to introduce tolls on an improved stretch of road in Cambridgeshire, meaning that motorists could pay charges on an existing route for the first time. Transport secretary Justine Greening this week revealed that part of the A14 – which links East Anglia and the Midlands – is set to be widened, with toll fees introduced as part of the upgrade. An additional pair of roads will be built nearby to handle local traffic. “Our proposals for the A14 corridor are the result of detailed discussions with local authorities and business interests and are aimed at delivering dramatic long-term capacity enhancements while ensuring good quality un-tolled options for local journeys,” said a Department for Transport spokesman. However, the coalition agreement struck between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in May 2010 stated that no tolls would be introduced on existing roads. Prime minister David Cameron appeared to reiterate this in March in a speech to the Institution of Civil Engineers. The government signalled earlier this year that a “feasibility study” would be conducted into whether alternative forms of ownership could encourage private sector investment in Britain’s road network.
