County looks at congestion charge

County council looks for ways of reducing traffic growth

Drivers may be charged for using roads in a bid to cut anticipated traffic congestion after 47,000 new homes are built in Cambridgeshire.

Cambridge County Council has called parish and district councillors together to look at options for a long term transport strategy.

Charging is an option as journey times are estimated to grow by 46% by 2021.

The National Alliance Against Tolls called for more to be done to improve the roads in the county.

The government has given the county £400,000 to pay for meetings on the condition that this item is on the agenda.

Increased costs

Studies of future traffic patterns in the county reveal drivers in 2021 will have to wait at junctions for nearly twice as long as they do in 2006.

Business leaders have already met the county council to put across their view that delays will have a serious impact on them by increasing transport costs.

Road tolls, a congestion charge and an increased use of rising bollards are being considered as devices to reduce the number of cars on roads.

A spokesman for the National Alliance Against Tolls said: "Trying to force poorer drivers off the road through some form of road pricing will fail.

"Roads users pay nearly £1bn a week in taxes.

"If they really want to reduce congestion then they should do more to improve Cambridgeshire roads, rather than imposing more taxes."