BUSINESSES across Southampton and Fareham are to be quizzed on their views on road charging in the wake of a government report recommending that motorists pay up to £1.34 a mile.

Supporters of the idea say that road charging is essential to head-off fast-approaching gridlock on the roads.

The Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 1,000 companies in the south-west of the county, is to ask members if they back the idea.

The government-commissioned report, by Sir Rod Eddington, said that traffic jams could be cut by half if motorists were charged for their journeys.

Experts have said that a satellite tracking system could be used to enforce the toll, with prices varying from 2p per mile for driving on a quiet road out of the rush hour to £1.34 for motorways at peak times.

The government has signalled that it wants a national road pricing scheme in place within ten years.

Local authorities have been given until July to apply for a share of a £2.5 billion Transport Innovation Fund to pay for pilot schemes.

Nick Farthing, from the Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce, said that a national survey had found 87 per cent of businesses in favour of road pricing - but only if the money raised was spent improving public transport.

He said: "Should congestion charging be introduced in the future, the monies raised must not just be seen as another road-based tax on business.

"Any monies raised should be spent on upgrading rail networks and rolling stock, together with improved bus services in the region.

"Furthermore, any charging regime imposed must be national, to ensure all regions are competing on a level playing field."