A TOLL ORDER; Pay-as-you-go roads vision to tackle jams and pollution.

Byline: By BOB ROBERTS Deputy Political Editor

TOLLGATES will spring up in cities and on main roads across the UK under new plans being drawn up by the Government, it was revealed yesterday.

And gas-guzzling "Chelsea Tractor" 4x4 drivers will be hit by an increase in road taxes to pounds 1,800 a year, if a committee of MPs gets its way.

They also want 70mph speed limits on motorways and trunk roads cut or rigorously enforced to cut pollution.

A leaked letter from Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander shows he wants a Bill to build on examples such as the M6 toll road and Central London's pounds 8-a-day congestion charge.

He is also considering charges for driving on trunk roads between cities.

In the letter to Leader of the Commons Jack Straw, Mr Alexander said: "The purpose of the Bill would be to support our efforts to cut congestion and improve public transport, particularly in the major cities.

"It would also help to pave the way for a national road pricing scheme in the medium to long term."

To avoid confusion over prices, national standards would be set up on a pay-as-you-go system.

All cars would be fitted with black boxes tracked by satellites, with motorists sent a monthly bill for their journeys on congested routes.

Saying he wanted the powers in place soon, Mr Alexander went on: "Current legislation offers limited powers for pricing on the trunk road network.

"We are considering pilots on the trunk road network as an important stage towards national road pricing."

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said the Government had "no intention" of imposing congestion charges in the near future, but added: "The Government has been very clear about the need to explore road pricing as a way to tackle congestion.

"It is only right that we explore what legislation might be required."

Laws required to introduce the new tolls are expected to be passed before the next election. Mr Alexander has pledged pounds 10million to support the development of the required technology.

But it is feared motorists will see the plans as another tax on drivers and green groups have voiced reservations.

Tony Bosworth, of Friends of the Earth, said: "Road charging can only be part of a solution. The Government must invest in public transport, cycle lanes and pedestrian access to make it easy for people to leave cars at home."

Meanwhile MPs on the all-party Environmental Committee have attacked the Government for dragging its heels on tackling pollution from cars.

Although they welcomed the new variable Vehicle Excise Duty, which means the lowest-carbon cars pay no road tax, they said the high rate of pounds 210 was not enough to deter gas-guzzling 4x4 drivers, who still pay less road tax as a proportion of the cost of their car.

They urged Mr Alexander to increase the top band dramatically to pounds 1,800.

And they attacked the air industry, saying emissions from air traffic have doubled since 1990 and are projected to quintuple as people snap up cheap fares.

The committee said it was time to raise air passenger duty, which could be charged per flight rather than per passenger to encourage airlines to fill their services.

Chairman Tim Yeo said: "Transport is the only sector of the economy in which carbon emissions have risen consistently since 1990.

"This points to a failure of purpose from the Department of Transport."

[e-mail]

CAPTION(S):

ROADS TO RECOVERY: M6 tollgate barriers and Douglas Alexander