A senior Tory MP has called for the privatisation of motorways and trunk roads.
Tim Yeo, chairman of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, has warned the Prime Minister in a new book that, in order to meet his environmental promises, David Cameron must privatise the UK’s motorways, and introduce wholesale road charging.
Privatising more than 2000 miles of motorway could, argues Yeo, help fund better road and rail services and could even mean a reduction in fuel duty (we’ll believe that when we see it). It would also raise billions of pounds for a deficit-laden treasury.
“So far most politicians have been reluctant to embrace the huge potential which a truly radical road pricing system offers,” says Yeo. “Allied to the overdue privatisation of Britain’s motorways this could fund both more investment in better roads and the immediate development of high speed rail.
“Since it could also pay for a cut in fuel duty the upshot would be a cut in the cost of driving for drivers who make little use of motorways, a group which includes many rural residents for whom car ownership is a necessity, regardless of wealth.”
Yeo also reckons that the London congestion charge scheme is clunky and unimaginative, but that the M6 Toll is a far more effective way of charging for road use.
Business secretary, Vince Cable, has in the past come out in favour of the privatisation of major roads, while Philip Hammond, the minister responsible for transport, is also said to be receptive to the idea.
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