The cost of motoring in the north and north-east would be a lot cheaper if road use was based on a pay-as-you-drive system, it has been suggested.
Think tank Reform Scotland claims the current fuel and vehicle excise duty system was a “blunt and unfair” instrument which takes no account of where and when people use certain type of roads.
It argues that charging variable rates – tolls – would reduce emissions and congestion and increase fairness for people who do not use motorways such as the M8 Glasgow to Edinburgh route during rush hour.
A report published by the think tank said the proposed system “would mean that people who live in more rural areas with less access to public transport, or have to travel during unsocial hours, would face lower costs than those using more congested roads at peak times”.
Reform Scotland has urged the Scottish Government to launch a feasibility study into the proposal.
It has suggested that central government would “price” motorways and trunk roads like the A9 Inverness to Perth route and A96 Inverness to Aberdeen road and councils would, “price” local roads.
Reform Scotland director Geoff Mawdsley said: “The way we currently charge drivers is bad for the environment, promotes congestion and is unfair on low-mileage motorists and those in more remote areas.”
Mr Mawdsley claimed the scheme would benefit the national economy as people and goods could move more freely and quickly, and people would choose to shop closer to home.
Reform Scotland claimed the introduction of road pricing was a good example of how Holyrood could use greater fiscal powers – under the so-called Devo-Max system – to pay for road use.
Inverness-based lorry driver Conor McKenna said the proposal raised many operational questions.
Mr McKenna said: “You cannot expect a haulier to start forking out because if you have 50 lorries the cost of that would be phenomenal.”
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