Motorway tolls win industry approval

Plans for tolls on motorways including the M25 have won official backing from industry and business leaders after the smooth start to congestion charging in London.

The Government's economic development agencies in southern England have told Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Transport, that they support plans for charges on the M25, the M11, the M27 on the south coast, and the M4 between Reading and London.

Mr Darling has delayed a decision on proposals to put tolls on the M25 until later this year, but senior Cabinet ministers are now preparing plans to expand congestion charging across the UK.

In his Budget this month, the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, is expected to unveil further details of plans to impose a new national road charging scheme on all freight hauliers from 2006.

Next month, Mr Brown and Tony Blair are due to begin detailed discussions on a new 10-year plan for transport. High on the agenda, said Whitehall sources, will be expanding congestion charging and road pricing across the country.