Road jam tax warning to rural dwellers

6:18am Monday 5th February 2007

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A MOTORING group has warned that Lancashire's rural communities could bear the brunt of Government plans to introduce congestion charges on certain roads.

The Association of British Drivers (ABD) has warned that drivers will seek to avoid roads with charges imposed on them and will turn to country lanes through smalls towns and villages as an alternative.

The ABD warns rural communities and vulnerable road users such as walkers, cyclists and horse riders to speak out now against road charging proposals before these plans are forced through.

ABD policy director Mark McArthur-Christie said: "Road charging will be levied at its highest on the most congested roads.

"It will be impossible for drivers to know if a road is congested until they are on it, sitting in a traffic jam with no escape route whilst the black box in their car clocks up pound signs for the chancellor.

"Many will not wish to take the risk and will of course seek alternative routes.

"Unfortunately for villagers and users of quiet country lanes, these will very often be the routes they seek out causing a massive increase in traffic levels."