Ministers are pressing ahead with a £10million trial
of 'spy-in-the-sky' road-pricing technology despite widespread
public opposition.
Test runs will start soon in seven locations for the scheme
which could result in charges of up to £1.30 a mile
on the most congested roads.
Volunteer drivers will have units fitted to their cars, which
will be tracked by satellite and will automatically deduct
payments from a test account.
The trials are proceeding despite previous statements from
the Government suggesting that it had abandoned the idea of
national road pricing.
Tests are expected to take place in Leeds, North Yorkshire,
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, South West London, Suffolk
and Essex.
The latest technology will be used to precisely track motorists'
movements at every hour of the day.
New figures from the Government show that the bill of £10million
covers only part of the tests, with further costs to follow.
Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers said: 'Labour's
instinctive Big Brother approach to the management of our
road systems is the wrong way to tackle congestion.
