Motorway Toll Lanes Could Be Built To Kickstart Economy, Reports Claim

Motorway Toll Lanes Could Be Built To Kickstart Economy, Reports Claim

Toll lanes on congested motorways could be built to relieve traffic and kickstart the economy, reports suggest.

Drivers using the new lanes could be charged for each journey, and the profits would go to the private sector.

The Daily Mail quotes unnamed sources who say that ministers believe the extra lanes would move money into the hands of private business and boost construction.

It is believed the plan will only affect new roads, not existing lanes.

Number 10 said the tolls scheme wouldn't be part of David Cameron's speech to the CBI on the economy on Monday, but government sources suggest it could form part of George Osborne's autumn statement next week.

The wider 'growth review' package also includes the new £400m fund to build up to 16,000 new homes and help first-time buyers that will be announced on Monday.

Other theorised growth-boosting measures include fast-tracking existing infrastructure projects, including a high-speed broadband network, and enabling pension funds to more easily invest in those projects.

The Mail said that some of the roads under consideration for the new plan include the A14, the M11 and the M1.

But the paper also quoted Keith Peat, of the Association of British Drivers, who said that drivers would not want to pay extra for the new roads.

He said: "We pay £50billion a year in motoring taxes, of which only £7billion goes back into motoring. Many drivers will feel we deserve the very best highways and should not have to pay extra."

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