Letter: Tolls on motorways will tax environment

Sir: At first sight, the recent motorway tax proposals seem promising; to charge per mile travelled, which will raise revenue for their maintenance and reduce congestion and 'unnecessary use'. This is what economists and ecologists have argued for some while.

The problem is that people may simply begin using other roads more frequently: increasing noise pollution and congestion in small towns and villages and perhaps raising the accident rate on less safe roads.

Even if fewer miles are covered by motorists in total, each mile driven could be less efficient and any intention to operate as a 'green tax' (rather than just as a way to raise revenue) will be compromised.

Perhaps what is needed is pricing on all roads for all journeys as a way to reduce overall vehicle use and provide money for additional expenditure on public transport. Universal road pricing would be difficult but taxing fuel, which penalises uneconomic as well as longer journeys, is straightforward.

Yours faithfully,

TIM ENSOR

York

27 May