THE south motorists should be charged for using the regions roads before 2025, a new report has claimed.
Car users should have to fork out according to how busy the roads are, says the report.
Backed by Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead and supported by leading transport bosses, the report, called Transport in the Solent Area: A Vision for 2025 calls for traffic-free areas in cities and public transport to your door.
But motoring organisation AA says drivers already pay for the miles they do at the fuel pump and should not be charged further.
Speaking before the release of the report today, Mr Whitehead said: "I've always said congestion charging is probably something that sizeable cities would have to consider and I would support that. It needs to be sensitive and there needs to be discussion for what is best for the city.
"In London the road charging scheme is an obvious solution. In Southampton you would have to have a scheme that is designed to better the city.
"If Southampton said we are going to have a road charging scheme and other cities such as Portsmouth and Winchester said we are not, it would not be good for anyone.
"There is a lot to be said for the elimination of the road tax if you are trying to discriminate."
Put together after a summit held in March, the report calls for "more than brave initiatives" for the one million residents of the region and incorporates the results of 1,400 questionaires. It will be distributed to all those who attended the summit and is designed to keep transport high on the agenda of local authorities.
Among the recommendations are:
Global Positioning System (GPS) to allow the level of road charging to reflect the level of congestion.
The creation of a central bus station next to the main train station in Southampton.
Greater use of Southampton's nine train stations and a new one in Ocean Village.
A South Hampshire Rapid Transit System (Tram network), but no monorail system.
A cashless ticket to be used on all modes of public and private transport.
Localisation of shops and offices, including working from home.
Creation of a Solent transport champion.
AA spokesman Rebecca Rees said: "Our own survey shows motorists do not want GPS tracking they already pay enough fuel tax at the pump. The government needs to invest more than the £8 billion of the £40 billion it gets from road users."
Mr Whitehead added: "As with all visions it depends on whether you have the money to do it.
"It's a discussion document. We need to do a great deal of thinking now."
Copies of the report will be available on Alan Whitehead's website www.alan-whitehead.org.uk
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