Thinking about rural transport: The potential impacts of road pricing on rural areas
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This paper considers the impacts that road pricing might have on rural areas which it says have been largely neglected, the debate having focussed in the past on urban areas and inter-urban corridors where congestion is more of a problem.
Although rural motorists might expect to pay less than their urban counterparts, especially if combined with a reduction in fuel duty, it is stressed that this will partly depend upon the type of road pricing scheme concerned. There will be 'first' order impacts related directly to the costs of motoring and 'second' order (indirect) impacts such as house prices and quality of life measures (e.g. tranquility, rural vitality). The impacts are also likely to vary between different types of rural areas and various social groups.
An important consideration for any road pricing scheme is whether it is intended to be 'revenue neutral' or 'revenue raising'. A neutral scheme would aim to redistribute the amounts raised amongst those responsible for the costs of say, pollution, and should mean a transfer of the amount paid by rural to urban motorists.
A revenue raising scheme would involve an overall additional charge levied on motorists (as in London) with the money raised being invested in additional transport (e.g. public transport).
Not only should consideration be given to people who live in the countryside but also those who travel to the area, notably for leisure purposes.
The potential impacts of the types of schemes on different types of area are detailed.
Finally the paper calls for the government to ensure any analysis of schemes incorporates rural proofing and so redress the emphasis that has previously been paid to urban and inter-urban corridors.
This is one of 5 new thinkpieces on transport in rural areas. The other thinkpieces are:
Comments
Road pricing would be disastrous for rural areas as it is likely to encourage drivers to use previously quiet lanes and 'b' and 'c' roads.
This will ruin the quality of life for those in and around the countryside and will effectively put such areas out of bounds for cyclists, walkers, dog owners, runners and horse riders.
Speed limits of 20mph should be introduced on all 'c' and unclassified roads and lanes. They should also be made into no through roads possibly by blocking them off at one point with just a gap for the abovementioned groups. Access would be from one direction only.