Stuck in the slow lane

A national system of road charging based on the driver's choice of travel time and route has been under consideration by British governments for several years.

However, there is little popular support for the concept and progress has been slow. Tender opportunities for suppliers have been opened then revoked. Feasibility studies for local road use charging (RUC) systems have taken place in 10 local authorities but with limited enthusiasm and no guarantees that any will result in a pilot. London has been the shining light with the introduction of the congestion charge, but it is the exception.

RUC supporters were frustrated with transport minister Ruth Kelly's March announcement that the government has abandoned plans for a national system. However, her statement made clear more pilot schemes will be needed to overcome concerns about privacy, fairness and enforcement.

The Conservative Party has suggested the government's RUC policy is in tatters. How so? In the world of central government politics it is easy to force through ideas that fall down only after implementation and taxpayers' money has been spent. It is far harder to recognise a flaw, put the brakes on, and deal with the issue before it becomes a problem.