| | UK to introduce two-tier toll roads
2 June 2003 by Malcolm Drury
The government is to announce sweeping proposals to reduce congestion on British roads, foremost of which is the introduction of a two-tier system of tolls on all motorways and dual carriageways, DeadBrain has learned.
According to Ministry of Transport spokesman Douglas Ramsbottom the success of the congestion charge for central London has been so great that the Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling, believes that congestion on all roads could be significantly reduced by the introduction of tolls, along with other measures designed to get people out of their cars.
"We are finalising the details of a particularly exciting proposal to introduce a two-tier pricing system on motorways and dual carriageways," said Mr. Ramsbottom.
"The toll to use the left lane would be higher than that for the right and would be for traffic that wanted to move faster and have access to the exits," he explained, "while the cheaper, right lane would have certain restrictions, such as a lower speed limit. Drivers opting to pay the lower charge also would not be able to leave the motorway until it ended." When queried about the centre lane, where one exists, Mr. Ramsbottom replied: "That's not an issue. When have you ever seen all three lanes open at once?"
Asked about the other measures, Mr. Ramsbottom said that one that was being seriously considered as a pilot scheme was to introduce business class sections on London buses and tube trains, presuming the cooperation of Transport for London can be gained. "We think that would encourage the more affluent person, who would normally drive, or be driven, to work to switch to public transport," he said. "Business class would include more comfortable seats, free newspapers, beverages and light snacks, and feature films in the case of delays caused by mechanical breakdowns or wildcat strikes".
Confronted outside the House of Commons by our trainee reporter, the Transport Secretary, who has been accused of ambiguity over the issue of road pricing, seemed slightly preoccupied. When our hack shouted, "Darling, do you think people will be happy paying a toll?" he replied, "What was that, dear?" before attempting to hail a rickshaw and stepping out into the road.
Look at this, moron.
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