Support wavers for road charging

14 June 2006
 
Lukewarm political support is being given to a proposed transport innovation fund bid by six authorities in the East Midlands.
Consultants are set to be hired to take the bid forward at a cost of around £30,000 shared between the six – Derby, Leicester and Nottingham cities, and Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire counties. The bid would involve the authorities exploring the scope for distance-based charging across a wide area.
Political approval to proceed is still required from all six authorities. A bid to examine the feasibility in the Peak District National Park was rejected last time, due to opposition from neighbouring authorities (Surveyor, 25 May).
Deputy leader and member for highways and transportation in Leicestershire County Council, Cllr Nick Rushton, talking to Surveyor this week, said he was concerned about whether the alliance of councils of different political outlooks would hold together, and how the partnership would survive if just one authority pulled out.
‘We are a very mixed bag and it is making considering congestion charging very difficult. As a Conservative member, I am proceeding gingerly, as I have not in the past been in favour of congestion charging.
‘But I have always said TIF is like a big elephant sitting in someone’s lounge. It would be stupid to ignore it.’
Leicestershire’s Cllr Bill Boulter, on the county’s Lib Dem opposition, claimed the authority was being too secretive and elected members were not being kept informed of what was happening.
He said: ‘The council is not telling elected members anything at present. ‘Why is thousands of pounds of public money being spent on consultants when we do not know what they are considering?’

order biaxin tablets

buy biaxin australia buy clarithromycin canada clarithromycin online

buying biaxin

buy discount clarithromycin buy clarithromycin purchase biaxin

ordering clarithromycin

buying clarithromycin buy clarithromycin cheapest biaxin

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login

 
comments powered by Disqus
 
 
 

Related topics