the goverment is absaulutly out of there heads. this is the most stupid and most robbing people of there own money idea i've ever seen. this road tolls is just not on, and the whole idea should be scrapped and never raised again.

Arfaan, Huddersfield, Westyorkshire

Don't talk so much, get this goverment out of office as soon as possible! Vote for the Independence Party and help this poor country get out of the EU!
We are not going to pay more taxes Mr Blair for ylou to spend it on the war in Iraq and Afganistan. Let them do their own dirty work and kill each other. Good riddence.

Tom Brook, Radlett, Herts

We already have a tax per mile,it's called fuel tax .Large cars pay through the nose [justifiably].Careful driving encourages economy. What could be simpler?Regarding congestion charges,we must havea viable public transport system FIRST.

Stan Johnson, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

The public have no choice but to travel by car as the trains and buses are not adequate for our needs. Shopping cannot be carried to a bus or train as it is too bulky. The trains are now too short for the public to get on; you should make the trains as long as they were in the past. Taxing driving isn’t going to stop anybody driving, it is only another tax. The less well of will suffer, but the rich will just pay the tax.

R Ashman, Luton, Beds

I is totally disgusting the cost of motoring nowadays, it is tax for tax sake & don,t forget .
This is you future premier taxing for the sake of it & by stealth.
What will he be like if as forecast he takes ove?

John Glover-merrick, Pershore, Worcester

I feel labour take enouhg money off me in tax without further taxes. I do not agree with it and as a social worker who has no alternative other than to use my care for work I am completely against road pricing. Public transport is something that does not exist in rural areas so how on earth can making us pay more for travelling in our cars help. They are certainly targeting the working man yet again. If I had mr. Blairs money I probably would not mind. Some of my work is done during the night so I would like to know how I am gogin to catch a bus then.

C. Tomlinson, Brigg, North Lincolnshire

How can it be fair across the board ? I have an 850cc car. I would like to see all the big gas guzzlers hit, and incentives given to owners of green or the smaller vehicles. A couple of bob on a tax disc just does not cut the mustard. I am sure that I will get charged, at the same rate as anybody else. I can also see that the government will not scrap the vehicle excise system either. The government will find a way to milk those that work hard and make an effort, in order to restore the 'clever- dumb balance' created by the ones that make no effort to contribute to the cause, and run from their duties. I agree with Frances Turner - get the dodgy vehicles off the road, stop building so many blinking cars, and concentrate on car size and exhaust emissions. Why should we top up the coffers, and then see nothing done ? In france you pay to use a motorway - I suggest that Tony Blair leaves his aeroplane at home and takes a drive along one. Perhaps he'll notice how beautifully kept these roads are !

Graham Clothier, Southampton, UK

mr blair i have supported you all the time you have been in office but as a disabled man i feel you are putting me under a very hard time who is going to give me the money to pay this stupid charge i cant go any were without a car you have put petrol up most disabled parking as gone what next i think if you get goods on to the trains and of lorries you will do better more road space less pollution and i dont think we need as many private hire taxis most who are illegal think of those who cant walk cant use public transport

anthony dudley, wakefield, great britain

In June 2005, Alistair Darling announced this plan, confirming that the pay-as-you-go charge would replace Road Tax and Petrol Duty, and cost from 2p per mile to £1.34 per mile, depending on where and when you drove.

Given that this would more than half the cost of petrol, and reflect how much and when you drive, it would surely be a fairer system. Presumably any extra cash raised would be spent on the roads and public transport, I don't see any problem here.

I think people should be given the full facts before being asked to sign a petition, which I don't think has happened in this case.

Phillip Lai-Fang, Addlestone, Surrey

I as a motorist for more than 50years would do my utmost to cause chaos where ever I could against this, another tax on motorists.

b.tharme, aldershot, U.K.

just another government con on the motorist

terence siddons, leicester, england

The police and the other spying agents will soon get thier hands on the system. As soon as youn get in your car they know whwre you are at alltimes. It is another form of controll, alongside ID cards and biometric pasports.

H Johnsonhar, southport, MERSEYSIDE

labour strikes again if u think this government will take eney notice of the roadpriceing protest think again were there is a way to take money off hardworking people they will do it they will give us the spin so it looks like they are doing it to save the planet but its all about the money

john riley, dudley, westmidlands

If the government can't cope with a basic concept like carrot and stick (all tax stick, no public transport carrot), do we really believe they can accurately manage a system that tracks every vehicle in the UK, 24 hours a day?

Tony Gilbert, Bristol,

Paul Lamkin has got this so right, and the impact of this government's fiscal policies are already both evident and at crisis point.

What are the ripple effects of all these new taxes, charges and tolls? While the efficiencies of our modern times should be making life cheaper, instead, slowly, barely noticeably, it gets more and more costly. If road travel gets more expensive then businesses will have to pay higher salaries, and put up prices of their products and services to compensate. Those prices inevitably end up finding their way to the consumer.

People don't want to be laden with debt, but the plain fact is that increasingly we fund what used to be an affordable lifestyle through personal borrowing.

Our government wants to understand why as a nation we are so deply in debt - that same government put us there, and continues, as this latest initiative illustrates, to want to take more.

TC, Epsom, UK

So, I move out of my mums and buy my own house. This happens to be further away from where I work so I can afford it, and now I have to pay to travel the extra distance to work! and surprise surprise the public transport where live can't get me to work, how is this fair? And I know they say that it won't be used to track people, but once the technology is there who's gonna stop them changing the goal posts? Surely the fuel tax is enough, the more you use the more your taxed, simple, isn't it? and who's going to pay for this ludicrous scheme? Us! Just like the new ID cards they are producing to again to watch our every move. Every day the thought of moving to Australia to escape this government seems to be a good idea and there will be no more paying in loads of money and getting nothing back except less freedom.

Lydia, Newmarket, England

Have this inept government not thought this through. Businesses would put up prices to cover increased transport costs, as would the many self employed. Wage demands would increase if people had to pay so much more to get to work.Inflation would go through the roof!!
Benefit the economy? Don't make me laugh!!

Paul Lamkin, Romsey, England

The Government call it a Congestion Charge, but it should correctly be called a Surveillance Charge which is what it is. All opponents of the scheme should refer to the Governments' plans by this motto and explain that it is the spy in the sky funded by the motoring public (all of us).

David J Owen, Yr Wyddgrug, Cymru

Road pricing and any other form of rationing by price is regressive that it bears more heavily on the lower income groups and those that can't pass on the cost as businesses can.Road pricing will be reflected in higher prices at the shops.a double whammy for the lower income earners.Doesen't this Givt. have another way ,perhaps even a third way?

CLIFF STANLEY, COALVILLE, Leicestershire

Stewart Abernethy has hit the nail on the head. All road tax should be paid at the fuel pump. A direct tax and green tax in one - so simple its brilliant (and unbeatable). So ask yourselves - why do Labour really want to spend billions on satelite tracking?

Stuart Wesson, Sutton Coldfield,

Wipe all the illegal cars off the road and you will wipe out congestion. Just stand on the pavement in the East End and see how many display up-to-date tax disks. Over one in four don't! These cars will also be uninsured and without M.O.T's - making them the most polluting of all vehicles because they won't be serviced either. Crush them all out of hand.
Alongside that introduce the "yellow school bus" system used in the USA and by getting rid of the school we will cut morning rush hour traffic by about 20% et voila no more congestion!

Frances Turner, Chelmsford,

So the government which has presided over years of uncontrolled immigration, which has allowed the Uk population (despite falling birth rates here) to balloon to over 60 million for the first time in its entire history, have worked out that this is going to lead to congestion. Fantastic! and THEN they are going to tax us for the problem THEY have created.
They are going to tax us for the privelege of going to work, They are going to tax us to use roads that the motorist has paid for, a thousand times over.
They are going to tax us for roads which would shame a third world country,
They are going to tax us for using the only viable transport available, because there are no decent self funding public transport alternatives.
All I can say is roll on the next general election, Oh and for any other party out there, open yours eyes and your ears to what the UK population is saying . (NOT YOUR interpretation of what the public are saying).

Peter , Chelmsford,

This and many other of these bright ideas are nothing more but ways of screwing more and more money from the public to pay for Browns mis- management - like for instance selling our gold reserves when the price was at a ridulous low - to buy the useless Euro.

Once again we are being conned.

Lets tell this lot of self grandising shysters to go to Hell with their exhausts alight, they've ruined this country..

Bill Torr, Leicester, England

Government of the people by the people FOR the people. This shell of a govenment has forgotten that simple fact. Governments should be affriad of people not the other way round. The public have voted with their tyres. They want the convenience and security of their personal transport that goes from where they want to from to where they want to go to at the times they so wish. It is a resource that cannot be uninvented. We need to make better use of what we have. Limiting HGVs at peak traffic times when commuters are travelling to and from work would help. How often are lanes one and two on a motorway jammed with just HGVs. I know it's a hard call on the Transport Industry but it is a simple solution only at peak times. Taxing and tracking represents an unacceptable option. It's a Poll Tax on Wheels. When will the Poll Tax Riots start... Government be affraid of the people!

David Parker, Leyland, Lancashire

How about the government actually look towards a solution to congestion instead of using yet another issue to stealth tax people? Do the government think that we all jump into our vehicles at peak time traffic just to drive around a little and be a pain? If we have to go somewhere, we have to go no matter how much it costs. This greedy money grabbing scam is nothing more than a way of monitoring motorists and bleeding them dry without actually tackling the issue of congestion. At the same time, while all these cars are sat in a traffic jam (which they haven't prevented), they're contributing to carbon emissions which they also want to tax us for!

Darren, Preston, Lancs

There must be fairer ways of reducing road congestion than rationing by the size of the purse. Also, who will trust a government computer agency to use the vehicle movement data for the sole purpose of charging? What if the charging meter system is linked to biometric ID card computers and checkpoints? George Orwell's vision realised! This Goverment's first recourse to deal with any major problem is more expensive legislation and regulation and/or more swingeing taxes and charges. We are already one of the most regulated and taxed (by all sources) nations on Earth. I for one want to know to what intended purpose all these added funds are going to be put too - in detail please, before I will agree them. Keep up the opposition, Times readers, before you lose your freedoms!

Mike King, Bristol, England

Once again the arrogance of this "government" (and I use that term VERY loosely given their track record) beggars belief. A million signatures calling for the proposed tax to be scrapped, yet 'big brother' knows best and chooses to ignore us. Be warned - we have a vote and LONG memories, ignore us at your peril.

Ian Gregory, Accrington,

Typical of this government to implement a tax on the effect of a problem rather than tackle the source problem itself.....just an excuse to tax people. Hope the those who voted for Labour think before voting Labour in the next General Election. We are taxed apporx 75-80% as it is.....yes, you are taxed on income, you then taxed again on this income earned and then you are taxed again when you die.

steve peacock, reading, berkshire

I personally will refuse to pay it......i think this will see a bigger backlash than the infamous Poll Tax

steve peacock, reading, berkshire

When will people in parliament realise that the congestion of our roads is due to the simple fact of too many people in this small island of ours!

A George, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Just another tax, road tax should be abolished and pay per mile at the pumps should be implemented ( taxation dodging totally wiped out ) Increasing taxation for conjestion will make no difference to the problem. Those who can pay will pay.

Stewart Abernethy, Glasgow, Scotland

Road pricing will penalise persons in areas where public transport options are not available or not appropriate. How about offering large employers a tax-saving incentive in return for setting-up working from home schemes, which could take traffic off the road? Excellent work-from-home technologies exist: Why aren't we using them to help solve congestion problems? Either way, my feeling is that New Labour will not win the next general election, so do they care how many signatures appear on a petition?

Robert Crowther, Bedford, Bedfordshire

If Nationwide Road Pricing is introduced, I will leave to UK and never return!

TC of Epsom states the position on this matter particularly
well. I would suggest all MP's consider his points fully.

M Christopher, Whitstable, Kent, UK

i think we pay anought for our road tax now with out having to pay a towl on our roads.

emma, shepton mallet, england

The roads are only overcrowed at certain times. Heavy goods vehicles could be made to travel only at night. This would just entail proper planning and it would free up the roads at all other times. Our roads were not designed and built for th 50 tonne lorries that use it now, so banning them altogether would mean far less road repairs which cause traffic jams and put a great strain on the budget for road repairs and building.
To tax the heavy goods lorries double or even treble for travelling during the day would encourage them to travel in the quiet times. After all one 50 tonne lorry causes as much wear and tear on the roads as 600,000 cars. (this figure came from the AA magazine several years ago.

Dvaid A. Fyffe, Andover,

I read Mr Alexander's initial comments - showing what I considered Labour's usual contempt for the electorate 'I don't care how many people sign the petition......' which I think were reported in Saturday's papers & newscasts. This contrasts somewhat with his comments today about 'further debate' and 'considering people's opinions'. Let's hope that, for his arrogance, his contempt & his mis-reading of public opinion that he is very soon ex-Secretary Alexander. Oh, and I'm still waiting for him to explain how the petition is misleading - but I won't hold my breath on that one ................

Ruth Rowe, Poole, Dorset, UK

It is blatantly obvious that the current government has got its sums badly wrong & now needs more income tax, via stealth methods. They want to force the poor off the roads to the benefit of the more affluent members of society. Strangely those least able to afford increased taxes, will be those worst affected. Congestion is a term for self regulating flows. If the government did some joined up thinking on traffic flows, they would see that adding roads just leads to more traffic. People will seek alternatives once grid lock is established, ask people that choose to live in cities rather than commute ! I'd like to know how a system can be anonymous & still be charged/traced to an individual ?

Chris Walker, Bristol, UK

With astounding consistency, our government and Douglas Alexander in particular have entirely missed the point. If only we could have politicians who can see issues for what they really are:

Mr Alexander, the general population of this country has demonstrated beyond doubt it's endorsement for personal transport, despite your efforts to convince it otherwise. Your job is not to try to dissuade us from it; it is certainly not to use it as a mechanism for generating revenue (which you subsequently misuse). Your job is to MEET the public need, but in such a way that blends with reduced pollution, congestion and energy consumption. THAT, is government.

Don't tax - it can't and won't work. Instead invest in new solutions that make better use of space, cost less to produce and run, don't pollute, AND give us the personal freedom that we want and need. It's not even a difficult challenge, it just needs the foresight of someone with wisdom to set the right political agenda.

TC, Epsom, UK

it seems we should rename this country "Blighted" not Blighty

Gareth, Torquay,

The petition calling for the scrapping of road pricing is not about srong feelings it is about the public recognizing utter nonsense when it sees it and objecting to taxpayers money being spent in untold millions of pounds on such nonsense.If this money actually exists it should be spent on the NHS not on trash like this

Bernard Mannix, Falmouth, England

People have to wake up to the real cost of traffic, exhaust gases, traffic jams in towns. Of course people in the countryside probably don't have public transport, but in towns we do. How many people say they drive because the buses are slow. It is the cars which hold up the buses. Let's recover the streets and pavements for ourselves and our children.

Pamela Mayorcas, London, Middlesex

Where's the petition in favour of road pricing? I'm sure more would sign that than the bury-your-head-in-the-sand motoring lobby.

Bill Jones, Derby, UK

I am just disappointed that The Times didn't print the address of the website - it might have been two million votes by now!!
The web address is :
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/

Lord James of Lochaber, Camberley, Surrey

All this government can do is TAX TAX TAX do they think for one moment that we will believe that road pricing will not cost us more?

I agree that green taxes are just another stealth tax, where is the evidence that Uncle Gordon uses green taxes for green issues.

How about a petition that we have no faith in this Government and there should be an election?

aj, Hull , uk

I believe this is the quickest way to bankrupt businesses and private individuals, and increase unemployment, whilst bringing the country to a standstill and bringing it to it's knees. Yet another tax with nothing to show for it from a labour government who neither care or listen to the population and prefer to dictate.

This government's time is coming, if only it were sooner.

Rob Brideson, Salisbury, England

The road pricing proposals mean of course that those able to afford the charges will carry on with business as usual. When our political leaders set an example over their general travel plans then more respect may be commanded by the electorate.

I lived in south-east Wales for the last 15 years and cannot recall one decent road being considered or built in response to growth.

Government policy is to target the private motorist under the guise of the environment at every opportunity in favour of the laughable public transport system

Tery Hawker, L'Absie, France

1. Why did Blair et al set up the No 10 petition site? What is the point of having such a facility if it is going to be totally ignored when the results don't suit?
2. Aside from all the other arguments against road charging, charging by the mile would disproportionally affect the less well off , and those in rural communities, and create even greater inequality in the community. It is a recipe for disaster.
3. I can see a mass boycott of the tracker device fitting stations!

Tim, Devon, UK

Thanks to only ten comments being visible at any one time (a problem you're presumably still working on) I've no idea whether the "Barry" referred to by Brad of Edinburgh is me or even whether my earlier comment was published. If it was, I can assure Brad I wasn't rushing to support the government (not many seem to have done, so I don't know why he is worried) because they're not proposing the obvious course of action - that income from road pricing should go directly towards improvements to non-car travel, particularly public transport. Poor public transport is often cited as a reason for car use, so let's use this method to improve it. Existing bus users - many of them less well-off than motorists - have indeed suffered poorer and more expensive services than necessary because of cars and the congestion they cause for 40 years or more, but motorists are so selfish you wouldn't expect them to care about that.

Barry, Wallington, South London

One only has to read the comments made by the Minister in response to 1,000,000 people (and, I would suggest, this is only a small proportion of total supporters) who signed the petition to see the utter contempt New Labour has for the motoring population of this country. There is only one "petition" left for us to sign now, that is to vote New Labour out at the next General Election.

Richard, Nantwich, England

The Blair government need money to pay for the illegal war in Iraq. Under the cover of 'climate change', 'global warning' and their very recent 'green' credentials, they will introduce this latest tax even if there are five million signatures on the petition. THEY DON'T CARE what people outside Westminster think; they're all in their ivory towers laughing at the general public !! When you're in a ministerial car you don't care about vehicle taxation. New Liebour are so arrogant they believe that they can get away with anything and everything. They have thus far !
I can't wait for the next General Election.

Rick, London,

This strikes me as ridiculous. The only people this tax will affect are the honest hard working commuters trying to get into our towns and cities to earn a living. Do the government think we are on these roads as a form of protest to cause congestion?? I am all for measures which will reduce the damaging impact on the environment, but doing this by attacking the backbone of Britain cannot be stood for.

I think I might get right Mr Blair in trying to prevent road congestion by handing my notice in on Monday and staying at home on the dole!

David, Kettering, UK

First the congestion charge and now this.........how long till Blair & co start telling us to stop thinking as individual and just take our daily dose of Soma and be happy......after all it is all just a brave new world

How many times does Blair have to hear that the United Kingdom is no longer a good place to do business (unless your an illegal imigrant or civil servant) and it's all down to his 10 years of government

Andrew, Wirral, Cheshire

This isn't the first time Labour's ignored the views of over a million people - Iraq war protests anyone?

Perhaps road pricing will be a good way to get Gordon's deficits under control though - especially if they're going to whack £1.35/mile charges on the busiest roads. I feel very sorry for anyone living on any of the roads bypassed by the M1 and M6, you can look forward to thousands of cars polluting and congesting your village while the motorways turn into 'roads for the rich'.

It's rather ironic that a so-called 'left wing social justice' party would be creating such plans isn't it.

I agree with the above poster - where are the Conservatives to be seen? This is a vote winner if you oppose it!

Bryn Buck, Lancaster,

I live in far west wales and around five times a year I visit my daughter and her family in Kent. I also visit my only other child who lives in Paddington. These journies are made along the M4, M25 central London and the M20. How much more will it cost me when I travel by car on these journies? I dread to think, and please don't ask me to travel from here by train or bus, it's nearly financially impossible to do so.
Do away with road tax and increase the tax on fuel then the more you use your car, the more you pay. This alone would encourage motorists to drive more ecconomicaly and to drive smaller cars.

G. Jones, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire

I am not bothered about being monitored, but what I do take umbrage at is the possibility of having to pay yet another of Gordons backdoor taxes.

George Byers, Stonehaven, Scotland

It makes no difference as I doubt that there will be a significant replacement for Oil after its peak around 2015 and hence the cost of fuel alone will wreck the economy come 2020. No one is joining the dots and the public are just too selfish and stupid unfortunately to undersand any of this. For years now we have driven ourselves everywhere and now we deem it a right rather than a privilege. Time to get a reality check and watch as China, India, Brazil, the US and the like fight for the remaining 1.2 Trillion barrels of Oil that will peak within 10 years worldwide as many individual countries including us and the USA already have.

Oil is energy and I doubt that climate change which in a way has come at the right time for all to develop alternatives to Oil will save us in time from very large price hikes in the cost of moving us around in metal projectiles

Pete Best, Northampton, UK

Typical arrogance from the government. When the public opposes them they always assume that the public are ignorant/misinformed instead of assuming that the public actually understands what they're doing and still disagrees with them.

I would be willing to support this system if two conditions were met:
- That the money raised would be used exclusively to fund public transport
- That there would be EFFECTIVE safeguards to protect privacy - not just the lip service paid to it in past government IT projects

Joseph Gauterin, London,

Where can I find the petition in favour of road pricing?
As usual a vocal miniority get all the news.

Simon, Woburn Sands,

I profoundly object to paying for the right to go to work every day. I will not be voting labour at the next local or eneral elections

s fotheringham, hamilton, lanarkshire

Green taxes are all about raising more money for the Government of the day and nothing to do with saving the environment . When did you see Blair or Brown getting out of a Toyota hybrid, usually its a Jag; or Range Rover so its the usual hypocrisy . Where else is there such an easy target as the motorist , but we can only hope the sights will be set on the gamblers in future as smokers decline

william watkin, Andover, England

This is just another money raising initiative from a money grabbing govenment. This idea of making motorists "pay per mile" is in no way guaranteed to reduce conjestion only raise money. If they were interested in reducing traffic volmes then they would intoduce windscreen markers to show that a valid tax, Ins and MOT are in force,with a Police power to confiscate the vehicle if not displayed - via a private company who recover costs from the motorist. If no valid documents produced in 1 monh vehicle should be sold and revenue put into running the scheme.
Also intoduce free driving tests every 5 years and if you fail you have to pay for lessons for 1 month and then pass a driving test, if you fail this.your licence reverts to a provisional. For over 60's this free test should be every year. This will reduce traffic volumes, make our roads safer and increase the use of Public Transport which in turn will make it cheaper and more efficient.
There is no need for an extra TAX

Nigel Davies, Cardiff, UK

This is the typical reaction we have come to expect from this dictatorial government (question this description when you can convince the masses my comment below is unreasonable)

When will they remember they hold their positions of power because they are supposed to represent the people, not rule?

J Bush, Cambridge,

What happens to cars currently exempt from road tax.
Has anyone thought about them ?

Roger Sawyers, Tatsfield, Surrey, England

As far as I am aware, this country is just about the most taxed nation on earth. We pay tax on our earnings then if we save we pay tax again on the same money then if we die we pay tax again on the same money yet again. This is yet another burden on the same people. It will stifle further the drive that we have towards work hard and save. We see our savings wither away we see our eforts to succeed negated. We need reasons to do well in this country not yet another tax.

Tom Dowds, East Kilbride, Scotland

The minister claims that the tax burden for mororists will not increase. Dose he really think that the public are that stupid? Currently fuel duty works out at approx 12p a mile for my car - under road pricing I will pay up to £1.50 a mile for peak time mororway usage. So tell me - which is the cheaper system for me? And if as the minister claims the system will not be used to issue speeding tickets - I would say why not? Because at a stroke it will have made all existing speeding cameras completely obselete. This is Nulabour bring Orwell's Big Brother to life (and we're going to be fleeced to pay for it).

Pravin S, London,

Dealing with congestion means improving the roads to cope - not restricting the usage to the road capacity.

Remove the traffic lights and road width restrictions and ban lorries from peak travel times - you will be amazed how much better the traffic will flow.

Chris Betson, Leigh on Sea,

Typical Labour, they won't listen to people, they want to tax us and they want to curb our freedom of movement. Who in the right mind would use public transport? Unreliable and expensive.

Matt Roberts, Dudley, West Midlands

Congestion is self-regulating if left alone - when traffic becomes too heavy people will look for alternatives. Road-pricing is a tax on motorists that will have little effect in the long-term. When people are priced-out of areas too expensive to use, they will move to cheaper areas - for "expensive" and "cheaper" substitute the words "congested" and "uncongested" - the result is the same.
Furthermore, are we prepared to cower before a government wishing to extend the (1984) Big Brother surveillance of its citizens (actually subjects) beyond the currently unacceptable levels?

no charge, london,

So we are promised that privacy will be respected, and there is a hint that the tax take won't go up. Do the politicians really think anyone is stupid enough to believe them?

Ernst, Binsted, Hants

If the overall cost to the motorist is, as claimed, not to increase, then why bother at all! Use the abundant tax we pay either in road or fuel tax to fund wider roads. Preventing people from using roads is not the answer.

Besides, this system would severely penalise lower income groups and go against basic Labour principles.

Political parties not listening to a million people appear totally out of tune with the needs of the electorate and we know what happens to such parties - they make up the opposition in parliament.

Alfred Joseph, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset

And where will the costs of road pricing fall? Not on manufacturers or business - they will initially absorb, then pass on the costs in higher prices for goods and services - but on the consumer, who will not only have to pay his own road useage costs but also those of the businesses that supply him/her. For those at the end of the food chain, even those who are too old or too poor to drive, stand by for another above-inflation price hike. No-doubt this joined-up government will find a way of factoring the increase out of the RPI and explaining why, even with this extra taxation, our crumbling public transport infrastructure can't provide a convenient, affordable alternative to the motor car.

Peter Hunter, Lincoln, UK

Am I alone in feeling that modern Britain is becoming a little more like Russia every day? This country encourages us to have our view, and then thry completely ignore it. Modern politicians forget that it was the masses who brought them to power; they are not infallible. Should we be surprised though? Perhaps not. Blair didn't listen to us about Iraq, why should this Douglas Alexander listen to us about congestion charging. Pompous fools.

Dean Clark, Belfast,

I'd be quite happy for Douglas Alexander to trial road pricing in Scotland first. With luck his constituents might vote him out. We will have to take it out on English NL mp's
at the next election. How noble of them to sacrifice their seats for the Raj.

k young, preston, England

Millenium Dome - Mistake!
Iraq War - Mistake!
Blundering Home Office Mistakes,
Far too bsuy being on the Take.
They don't listen to the electorate,
Next time they come lamb faced to the door,
With statistical giberish to prove falsities that everyone's instinct rebels at, simply don't listen to them. Let's make a mistake and vote someone, anyone other than.
Since the ideology is not what gets control,
it's big money that does.
How do you give a bribe for something, like an honour?
Simply give an undertaking to ensure that on retirement you can tour AQmeric for six weeks at 50k per HOUR,and it all looks like it was earned. Fascinating.

Mark, London,

This Government is Big Brother and they just want money to waste on themselves and their masters in the EU. We do not live in a Democracy its a complete con.I wish the people would wake up and do what the French do.

Taff, Hereford, Herefordshire

Civil servant. "Prime MInister, we have a proposal to introduce road pricing."
Prime Minister. "People won't be very happy about that. Look at their alternatives. Overpriced trains and buses and lousy unreliable services. Look at our website. If we had a referendum tomorrow, the proposal would be voted out."
Civil servant, wincing at the use of the 'R' word. "The Treasury sees the tax raising potential."
Prime Minister. "You mean Gordon supports it. We'd better do it then."
Civil servant. "Yes Prime Minister."

ian, bath, uk

This is a ridiculously ill-conceived idea. Taxing heavily used main roads will simply redirect traffic onto those at present lesser used.

This will turn our countryside into one big rat-run and eliminate the pastimes of walking and cycling while forcing children in rural locations to abandon outdoor play in favour of sitting in front of the TV as has already happened in our towns and cities.

Thanks a lot New Labour.

Dominic Tyler, London,

Quote from government minister:

'many of the claims made by those promoting the petition were “falsehoods”. '

Write your own punchline really. I personally can't think of anything remotely adequate.

Alex Swanson, Milton Keynes, UK

How can it be right to penalise the victims of congestion?

The people who suffer most acutely from traffic congestion are those drivers who get caught in it - the waste of time and frustration are dreadful. This already provides a powerful incentive to avoid congested roads.

Drivers get into congested traffic for one of only two reasons: either they have no viable alternative or they weren't expected the congestion. To reduce congestion we must therefore provide viable alternatives where possible and better information to help drivers avoid congested roads that they don't know about.

Congestion charging simply penalises the victims rather than seriously addressing the problem.

Alan Chambers, Basingstoke,

Do these charges apply to Mr Alexander's Scottish constituency?

Mike, Midlands,

What about the one in fifteen cars on the road unregistered, un-taxed and uninsured, they will continue to travel without a problem or a bill from this government! Only the mugs who actually register their cars and pay tax and insurance will show up on this governments radar, if you are not on their database you do not exist, they will always go for the easy target of the mugs that they have the details for. Hey! theres the idea folks! Pay cash, give false details and enjoy the open road!

jeremy, harrogate,

Of course you will easily find large numbers of people to support any petition. I drive a car but don't want to be associated with the so called group of people known as the motorist. This imaginary oppressed group invented by the media appear every time they are told they may need to consider driving a little less or to choose a more fuel efficient car and not a Chelsea tractor. I and many others support any move by the government to reduce the use of cars. The fact that Mr Hammond (crash test dummy) supports the petition means nothing since he owes his income to the glorification of the car.

Darren Gill, cambridge,

This government has introduced more stealth taxes during its time in office than any other. It seems that the only solution to any problem they have is to raise a tax , preferably hidden in some way that cannot be challenged . The sooner we have an election with a clear statement of what is proposed and what can be done the better.

K Waller, Portsmouth, Hampshire

When road pricing was first mooted by the Government it was going to replace car tax and fuel duty. This does not seem to be mentioned any more.

Tom Fallowfield, Braemar,

I agree with the view of Chris above. This policy needs a carrot as well as a stick. I will happily abandon my car when there is a reasonably priced and reliable alternative.

James Lachowsky, Swindon, Wiltshire

Even those opposed to road pricing must agree that something has to be done to ease traffic congestion but seem to be lacking in ideas. The proliferation of the motor car has many detrimental affects on our environment leaving most of us suffering noise pollution, poor air quality, loss of freedom for our children to play outside and huge net loss to Britains economy. The benefits are largely illusory as we mostly seem to spend as much or more time commuting as our grandparents did and pay more of our disposable income to do so. Use of the car for pleasure and leisure is mostly driven by the desire to get away from the ill effects caused by the car in the first place. I believe that the only way to tackle the problem is to undo some of the brainwashing inflicted upon us by the motor companies and would suggest that a levie on motor advertising should be used to fund counter advertising and schemes to reduce peoples emotional attachment to their precious tin boxes. Road pricing is not the answer it is purely a politicians slant on freeing up a bit of road space to allow them to speed on their self indulgent way.

Clive Stringer, Eggesford, Devon

This government continues its push to hand over the lives of its citizens to unaccountable and profiteering corporate business. I've already been accused of speeding in a town I've never visited in my life this year, had to pay to get my entry on the electoral role corrected twice, been told that objections to sharing my medical history with a few hundred thousand bureaucrats don't count, and watched ticket costs for the ghastly London train service ensure a healthy return for shareholders and misery for commuters, as always since privatisation.

Congestion charging before there's a meaningful alternative is not a solution, it's a tax. And promises that the information will not be used for other purposes ring hollow after this government's record on, for example, the use of anti-terror legislation against peaceful protesters. Honestly, they give weasels a bad name.

Loftwork, Horley, Surrey

This is just another excuse for a back door tax by a Governement that wishes to control every aspect of the law abiding citizen's life.

Yet they are powerless to stop the thugs and yob culture that now exits in our towns and villages.

The motor car has over the years enabled oridnary people to travel and visit areas of this country and Europe that before and the advent of the motor car was not possible for oridinary people. We now have a governement seeking to do what the hardline communist goverenment of the USSR inflicted on the masses whilst politburo enjoyed all the privileges brouht about by their position. Does anybody recognise any similarities. Orwell must be smiling in his grave

Petrie, Durham, durham

I dont think this government understands the situation here, the petition now stands at just over 1 million, can i remind this government thats 1 million voters.

A roy, dewsbury, west yorks

having just spent a few days in bangkok, i was delighted to avail myself of the new skytrain service which is fully utilised all day, and has a starting charge of about 12p for 1/2 stops. airconditioned, efficient ticketing and clever advertising on the carriages. not much incentive to return to blighty really. Currently reading Ror Hattersley's and A.N. Wilson's books on English politics in the first half of the 20th century. It seems we never have had the quality of forward thinking decisive politicians we deserve, so I suppose we shouldnot have expected too much of the present incumbents.

jeremy burton, ko lome island, south west thailand

Apart from anything else , Douglas Alexander , who is imposed on England as transport minister , is MP for the Scottish constituency of Paisley and Renfrewshire South ie not in England and has no democratic legitimacy here .

To make it even worse road traffic pricing would be forced on England by the British parliament but in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish parliament and they might well reject it , which would mean that Scots would be travelling on English roads free but the English would have to pay .

England - occupied by the British state .
-

John , Plymouth ,Devon , England .

Typical of this Government to start an 'experiment in democracy' and then pointedly ignore the one petition that has generated more signatures than any other. One million signatures may be small in comparison with the population but is NOT insignificant in comparision with the other petitions on that site. This one has over *23 times* more signatures at present than the next most popular petition, which shows the strength of feeling there is against this issue. It cannot and should not be ignored. And the argument that the email was 'circulated by an extremist group' is rubbish. Yes the ABD is openly a 'pro car' organisation but it is hardly the BNP or a terrorist group! However the issues it raises are EXACTLY the concerns of many ordinary law abiding motorists. In particular it is the prospect of loss of privacy in the 'Big Brother' style surveillance technology intended to implement it that raises most concerns. Road charging as a concept would be much more acceptable IF it were brought in like the continental peage system - i.e. optional (i.e. you can ALWAYS get from A to B without having to pay a toll), implemented via a standard ticketing system paid by cash on demand, and the fees (taxes) raised were put back into the ROAD transport system.

Caroline, London, UK

Amazing how quickly the astroturfers raced to their keyboards to support the government..thanks "Dave" and "Barry".

This is merely another stealth tax in the making, like the passenger air tax, with the word "green" inserted to make it look legitimate. I am not fooled.

We do need to look at alternative ways of pricing for motorists, but not more ways to add to their tax burden, which this government is doing to shore up its dwindling coffers.

Brad Dandrough, Edinburgh, Scotland

Dictatorship or boody mindedness by Labour yet again First they rip us off with huge tax on fuel, then we still pay the annual car tax which is supposed to be used to maintain and improve the road system... thats a joke, check and see how little of this revenue raised actually gets put back into the highways and now the ultimate the black box in the car and charging per mile... George Orwell may have been right about a "Big Brother" type state. Get off your high Horse New Labour and listen to the people for once. No more taxes.. We pay more than enough already. Look at the mountain of debt that you are accumalating for the country, when you came to power we had a surplus now we have a defecit. If you want to hang onto power LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE.

Paul Barratt, Solihull, England

This is a typical new Labour effort. First they come up with a scheme to price pensioners and the poor off the roads, while maintaining there income by pricing those that have to go to work. Then they deal with opposition by smearing there opponents as people that spread lies.
I did not see the e-mail about speeding tickets and vehicle tracking, but I still signed the petition, as I need to work in this country for a few more years, while I save enough to emigrate. I just feel sorry for those who are left behind.

Stephen , Hertfordshire,

Road Fund tax will not disappear, nor hydrocarbon oil duty. This smacks of vintage Gordon Brown (taxation! taxation! taxation!).

There is an environmental case for encouraging use of public transport. With flying now attracting disfavour we are faced with rail or coach travel for significant distances. We once had a comprehensive rail network but it was butchered in the 1950s and 60s, particularly by the wretched Beeching. The surviving network is unreliable, chaotic and extortionately priced, and coaches cannot make up the shortfall. So we get into our cars and get fleeced! Between that and out of control council tax, we won't be able to afford to live.

Iain Carmichael, Orpington, Kent

Another waste of money on unworkable technology. Passports costing £67 each, but with chip technoloigy guaranteed only 2 years and failing already. ID cards costing bilions to implement (but presumably using the same unworkable chip technology as passports). And now a chip in your car to track what you're doing and whre you're going. We'll all be wearing tinfoil on our heads to stop the rays getting us!!

Technology in the hands of this this government has proved to be a (massive) waste of our money. Just look at how much notice they are paying to their own system for registering petitions. 1m people register positive resistance to the government's proposals an road charging, and all we get back are patronising platitudes from the Tansport Secretary Douglas Alexander.

Richard Hewitt, Horning,

If the issue is really about reducing congestion rather than raising revenue then every pound taken in congestion charge should be returned to the motorist in another manner (perhaps in reduced fuel duty).

However, I believe it is simply another tax and one that will make it difficult for many to work.

It may start low, but the government will get it on the sort of escalator all the other taxes are on very quickly.

I suppose with tax approaching 80% of the price of petrol they need another way to take more money.

Dave L, Selby, Yorkshire

I would say that many of the claims made by this government are "falsehoods", particularly in terms of protecting privacy.The DVLA has long been known to "leak" car registration details, the police only use mobile phone records to check on "suspected" villains' movements, the majority of our personal medical details are apparently now in the hands of US companies( how long before they're "leaked" to insurance companies?).A good many of our law-abiding immigrants already have dual passports,let alone those who create them like confetti, so the ID scheme will only apply to those of us not trying to hide anything.Worrying if your husband/wife's divorce investigator can place you snuggled up in a hotel in Littlehampton last November, when you were at a conference in Manchester, is as nothing.Voting this lot in was understandable in 1997, re-electing them was unforgivable.

Mike Medina, St. Albans, England

“I understand there are strong feelings on this issue but strong feelings alone are no substitute for considering how we tackle the challenge of congestion."

So make the trains better. Give us a fast, efficient, clean, uncrowded, reasonably-priced train service and we'll use it.

Chris Allen, Ipswich, Suffolk

having just spent a few days in bangkok, i was delighted to avail myself of the new skytrain service which is fully utilised all day, and has a starting charge of about 12p for 1/2 stops. airconditioned, efficient ticketing and clever advertising on the carriages. not much incentive to return to blighty really. Currently reading Ror Hattersley's and A.N. Wilson's books on English politics in the first half of the 20th century. It seems we never have had the quality of forward thinking decisive politicians we deserve, so I suppose we shouldnot have expected too much of the present incumbents.

jeremy burton, ko lome island, south west thailand

This will also have a massive impact on tourism as people like to get away at the weekends to the coast or caravans/cottages etc.

Justin Bilton, Telford, Shropshire

Any Party/Government which tries to introduce road charging etc. will commit political suicide. The British people will simply not tolerate it .
The sooner Douglas Alexander and the rest of his crowd understand that and abandon their folly the better .

Tony Cocks, Plymouth, England

I am disappointed aout laymen drivers views, having attended many public organisations meetings and workshops over congestion, air quality and the like, it is pre-ordained and these bodies are simply looking to justify procedures.

No different from everything else, these trials have been going on for over ten years.

In return, we get charged for roads the public already own, and total lack of attempt to tackle the real issue.

For any doubt, the issue is us the public wanting everything today, tomorrow would reduce congestion and emmisions by 20%.

Nigel, Rainham, Kent

It's time to give this government the kicking it deserves.

Surely this is about controlling all our movements down to the very last minute and metre.

It is socially divisive, bearing down unfairly on the poor.

It is unecessary, as charging is already in place: it is called fuel tax.

Judging by my failed attempts to register, the actual number is a lot higher than the posted million-plus.

Let's turn this into Blair's Poll Tax.

David Jefferis, Brill, UK

Mr Alexander stated that trials would begin in four to five years time. Rest assured Mr Alexander, there's no way you'll be in power by then. Also, if the increases are small, as he says they will be, it will have no effect whatsoever on congestion as people will just pay the extra so it goes to prove that this can only be about raising revenue. It seems that just owning a car these days is a criminal offence

Paul Saunders, Portsmouth, UK

To enforce the the ideals of equality that socialism holds dear, the authorities need to know everything about everyone and then hike targetted taxes accordingly. They won't be satisfied until everyone is equally miserable and under control. Just wait till Brown gets in, you ain't seen nothing yet.

David Rochester, Liverpool, UK

So, what's the point in having an online petition system if the results of even the most suppored petitions are ignored by ministers.

Ed Payne, Battersea, London

I think congestion charging is a great idea, so long as it is aimed at congestion only. CO2 emissions are best tacked by fuel tax as that is directly related to CO2 generated.
My biggest fear is that it may bring us closed to a police state. Safety systems must be built in so that this is near impossible rather than just, "we promise we won't use it"

Richard, Chester,

Let people park free, and they won't be running around to avoid wardens that are predatory.
That will ease moving congestion, help CO2, and then you can gather the same taxes for driving, persuading people to stay still rather than drive.
Far too radicle for the serious money makers, that's for thinkers.

Peter, Surrey,

I disagree with the previous views that driving is already cheap and that extra taxes should be imposed upon drivers.

There are those of us who out of cicumstance, have to commute quite far on a daily basis. Personally I have to commute around 600 miles a week just for work, extra taxes taxing me would cut into my earnings even further, even more than the silly amounts of tax already placed on the fuel I use, and the ludicrous road fund tax (that doesn't seem to get spent on updating our roads and motorways).

The fact also, that only 3 million people have signed it doesn't really say anything. I would find it difficult to imagine that anywhere close to the full population of the uk is even aware of the times website, let alone a government petitions website. There's also the small problem of the millions of people who don't vote in elections and reforendums, due to attitudes such as "well what difference am I going to make".

Chris, Preston,

This government once again demonstrates that the electorate comes second to their own designs...at least there is an election coming in Scotland at least....

Andy allan, Edinburgh,

Surely the issue is we already have road pricing in fuel tax. The more you drive , the more fuel you use the more tax you pay. Anything else is superfluous , not needed and smacks of snooping.

Tony Price, Crewe, England

>this will create a further division between the have and have nots

My goodness! So the "have nots" own cars, now, do they? I think road pricing would be a non-issue for the have-nots, since they use public transport, if they can afford that. But then maybe some of the haves with cars will get off their high horse and ride the bus with the rest of us.

CB, Manchester, England

The Government is adept at ignoring a million protestors. They ignored the million who marched on Westminster trying to head off the Iraq debacle; I'm sure they will have no trouble ignoring a million people lightly flexing their mouse fingers.

Andy Gates, Exeter, UK

This is simply forward thinking by the Government - at the expense of the motorist. Motivation is fear future cars won't use liquid fuels - causing a drop in tax revenue.
I believe they have no concern over congestion, pollution or a better transport network; these are issues that have plagued civilisation before we had cars. Nor do I think they'll be the forecast increase in the number of vehicles; the population has stabilised only by immigration, the trend remains toward a higher proportion of retirees, thus less commuter congestion.
The motorist contributes billions in tax revenue but a fraction is reinvested into the road network. We should have the best road network in Europe, but we probably have the worst. I believe motorists should have a fairer taxation system, one that makes it cheaper to travel, not more expensive & one, especially, that does not propose to penalise someone for being caught in traffic.

Andrew Potter, Dereham, Norfolk

This just another crude stealth tax from the government aimed at all the hard working law abiding individuals in Britain. How can we even try to implement democracy in other countries when our own home ignores our voices?

Doug, Birmingham,

Yes, Referendums, do help. But often they get tied up in court battles, and the "rulers" get their way in the end.

Daniel Boilini, Los Angeles, CA

To quote above: "Oh, I've been caught breaking the law by a speed camera; that's not fair!" (and so on ...)

Is this not likening a statement of "I was caught stealing; its not fair" with one of "I must now pay 50% tax on all food; its not fair"?

Yes, car use does need to be reduced; will additional taxation improve the infrastructure to support this? The existing firgures on the use of Road Fund License income don't point to that. The comments from Mr Alexander continue to confirm my suspicions that the Government at large (by which I mean all three parties and the Whitehall machine) have no real interest in environmental matters, but instead use them as a carrot to the public's money.

James King, Scunthorpe, North Lincs

"The petition and the accompanying email are, quite simply, a paranoid conspiracy theory being promoted by far right-wing nutcases. Anybody out there who has fallen for it should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. "

Richard, London

Oh, such vitriol Richard. Why is anybody who dares to differ in opinion from left wingers immediately labelled a "right wing nutace" without a counter-argument being put forward to the so-called nutcase's views?

If the same bile was directed at a minority group, the police would be tracking Richard's IP address already.

Why should it be so obvious that opposition will melt away after its introduction? Did opposition to the was in Iraq melt away after the beginning of hostilities?

I object to being labelled a nutter merely because I object to yet more tax being squeezed out of my already shallow pockets.

Edwin Thornber, Chichester, Sussex

This country already has the dubious title of the most surveilled nation on earth. What Douglas Alexander is planning to force upon us is beyond what the former East German Stasi could only dream about.
What is the betting the Government, Military, high ranking Police Officers & members of the aristocracy will be exempt from installation of tracking equipment in thier vehicles due to "security" reasons.

The United States operates the GPS satelites, we will therefore allow them access to the movements of most British nationals.

It is estimated 1 in 20 vehicles is driven unregistered, uninsured or untaxed, which without doubt massively increase under road charging. Why cant the government introduce legislation to automatically confiscate & crush these ? (unless it is proved they are stolen).Double the number of traffic police on the roads to enforce this,this could be payed for from all the revenue generated by speed cameras. This will reduce congestion on the roads.

Maurice Selter, Eltham, England

Mr Alexander advises us that motorists' movements will not be monitored. How foolish of us to confuse the act of putting the details of where our cars are at a particular time on computer and cross-referencing with a database giving our home address with "monitoring." And how cynical of us to imagine that this technology might be used some day to catch drivers speeding. And how naive of us to suggest that every driver would pay more. Obviously Mr Alexander and his cabinet colleagues deserve and will be given an exemption for their foresightedness in this matter.

Colin Turfus, Harrow, UK

I have tried to sign the petition, but do not get the email required to register my name.
I have signed other petitions and received therequired email.
Cynic that I am, could it be that the givernment are trying to restrict the views of the public?

I would suggest that if people cannot sign this petition, they should try the one to remove Dr Ladyman from office, to date only 5 have signed

Adrian Gregory, Ramsgate, uk

Congestion is caused by the excessive size and number of lorries clogging up our transport system with unnecesary journeys. How can it make sense to import turkeys fromHungary whist exporting turkeys to Russia or Japan for example. This is yet another ploy to force us to shop in out of town hypermarkets.

R A Turner, Woodford Green, England

Never mind the type of road, number of driven wheels, number of seats etc. It is the burning of fuel which causes pollution, (though how significant the amount remains debatable). An increase in fuel tax, possibly accompanied by a reduction in the many other transport taxes, is a relatively simple method of reducing road congestion and emissions, though I am just as reluctant as everyone else to pay more.

Eric Hadaway, Kettering, England

I object very strongly as I am on a pension and live in a very rural area with no bus service or rail station.

Harris, owmby by spital, lincs

No government will impose a tax on my freedonm to drive were i want and when i want. It is an essential component of a free and liberal society to go about your daily business without the fear of being monitored. If this ever happens then this country will revolt as they did during over the issue of the poll tax.

darran mather, manchester,

Government promises that databases would be secure is somewhat overtaken by the fiasco at Inland revenue. A full road pricing implementation would allow government to know where our cars are at any time, this information would be available to various departments to allow the charges to be collected. Secure, I do not think so.

K Wells, Bognor Regis, UK

Perhaps its time for this Government to listen instead of lecture, How any Minister can claim this will not increase the tax burden, whilst still claimming there has been no increase in general taxartion is incredulous. Gordon Brown needs more taxation to cover his spending, and like manna from Heaven, The so called Green issues and road pricing arrive. Save the Planet! This planet will be alive and well long after we the Human Race have departed it.

Dave Edwards, Burnham on Sea,

There may be no apparent plan to track drivers movements with the sytem now, but give them an inch and they'll take a mile - just gradually so you dont notice it as much.

Tom, Egham,

1 Million out of 26 million motorists who have protested is no great shakes - it's only 4% of the motoring population. What are the alternatives to road pricing; more and more roads and motorways? Not in my backyard, thankyou - which is the whole of the UK. Perhaps the protesters should emigrate and that would reduce congestion!
But what about global warming? Let the polluters pay say I . Let's all cut out wasteful journeys and reduce speeds. A 20% cut should then be possible for all. Yes and I have a car and still drive upto 10000 miles per year at 40 mpg

Gerald Spencer, Andover, UK

Road pricing is a sensible step in allocating the "road track costs" to users. Whilst all other modes were "privaitised" (BAA, Railtrack/Network Rail, ABP, etc.) the Highways Agency remained an Executive Agency of the DfT.
It is time that the HA was subject to the same market forces and rates of return (on its investment) as other modes. Perhaps the Treasury will ensure that this is indeed the case.
Road pricing must also take into account environmental costs, health costs, traffic policing costs & other externalities which should all be charged to road users!

Andrew Long, Bedford, UK

Don't think government's embarrassed at all. Quite pleased they appear unruffled by these perblind petrol heads whose bleating about the right to continue destroying the planet in the name of their comfort and indulgence is both immediately and ultimately unsustainable; and they know it! It's typical of Ben Webster and The Times to present this story in this way. How could anybody possibly believe in their objectivity after noticing how many motor car makers advertise in their pages. This is not simply a debate about consumer interests nor is it a debate about personal liberty: it's a debate about what deeds--rational deeds--are we to undertake to secure the future of this planet for generations to come. I would no more trust this issue to car enthusiates alone than I would a leave a child at a paedophile's convention.

Nick Baker, London, UK

Scrap this ridiculous nonsense immediately, I expect that the trial alone will cost millions of pounds, can't the government squander our money on something more worthwhile?

David Whittle, Shrewsbury, England

I am a shift worker at Gatwick Airport. My role requires me to be at work at the latest of 0500 on most days, especially at weekends, over Christmas/New Year etc... I am on permanent call and may have to come in at any time on any day. I live 60 miles from work and there is absolutely no public transport suitable which runs at night in order to me to get to and from work. I drive an imported Diesel Smart car averaging 90mpg and I drive nearly always at night. If I get charged per mile when I have a car that environmentally friendly driving at seriously off peak times then I think I will be emigrating. If this government actually believes in a work/life balance then why should we all live on the doorstep of our workplace? The only reason I live 60 miles away is because I cannot afford a home any closer to work, there doesn't seem to be any way to have a decent standard of living in this country anymore. Unless you are unemployed of course.

Jamie Nelson-Singer, Eastbourne, East Sussex

Well done to the transport secretary he's alienated a million plus voters and is proud to state he'll carry on regardless ,after all it's not as if it's a democracy! Hopefully the public will let the government know what they think in the coming elections, and I can't imagine it will be good as this issue is one of many this government has to answer for.

joanne bingham, preston, lancs

As several others have said this is yet another example of the current party in power believing that the wishes of the population should be totally ignored and second to the grand designs and "big pictures" hatched in cabinet and Number 10. We must begin to have serious doubts about the mental health of many of this government's ministers. Delusions of being the leaders of an autocracy are going to lead eventually to serious trouble in the UK. It seems that they feel they can act as if they have lifetime tenure of their posts.

J Wilson, Ayr, UK

I 100% back road pricing as I am totally and utterly sick to death of being stuck in apparently mindless traffic jams. Over the last 10 years traffic has grown way too much, driving has become too cheap for the average person so now everyone can afford to drive, even people on benefits.

The only way to get people off the road is to price them off the road altogether or make them drive at off peak times.

And by the way, only 3 million people signed this petition. Last time I looked 60 million people live in this country, I'd say most people are for road pricing, not against.

Dave, Portsmouth, Hampshire

Anyone can sign a petition, especially on-line where you just click the mouse. The government should have the guts to ignore it totally. It just shows motorists' selfishness, wanting to congest our roads, add to danger, pollute the air and clutter every side-street with their parked vehicles, without paying for the privilege. It's over 40 years since the Smeed committee pointed out the costs of congestion to other road users and society generally, and that was long before 21st-century concerns for the future of the planet. Those drivers who'd rather stew in traffic than pay for clearer roads should just think themselves lucky they've been allowed to get away with it for so long.

Barry, Wallington, South London

Democracy is far too important to be left in the hands of the public!

john Smith, Manchester, UK

This is merely the latest sympton of a government which completely ignores the wishes of the electorate, in order to raise more taxes for other unsuccessful ventures.
The only response is continued opposition culminating in voting the government out of office.
They would do well to remember the cause of the Peasants' Revolt of the 14th century.

howard barnett, london,

I live in Conwy in North wales
We have had every goverment and welsh assembly madcap tax raising idea piloted upon uu .Everybody know it is just to raise money from the motorises to fund the local councils .
We had "catch the Motorist "
If it moves give it a speeding ticket ..
If it does not moves then give it a parking ticket

NOW .We going to have
If it moves slowly but is not parked give it a congestion ticket no doubt "comimg to a North wales road near you "

oxleynw, llandudno, uk

This is nothing to do with relieving congestion, reducing pollution or safety considerations. It is purely a money making exercise and to suggest otherwise the government is being very 'economical with the truth'. In addition, despite their denial, I think they will use the information to monitor people's movements in this increasingly abused police state. This government's past record with their plans leads people to be mistrustful of their intentions. I remember their claims that they have "no intention to tax and spend" like previous Labour governments.

P. Kelly, Aberdeen, Scotland

Don't worry,it will all change for the better after the next election. I cannot wait. This lot are making themselves unelectable with their arrogance and indifference to the electorate.

Let's have more petitions, we don't need referenda!

Aristotle Onanist, Harwell,

A quick check of the petition website reveals petitions that are open, closed or rejected, but no link for those that have been accepted. Further examination of the closed petitions reveals that there has not been a single petition that has been accepted - or a supercilious response along the lines of "we'd already thought of that". As the originator of a petition myself (about the dangers of SMA Asphalt as a road surfacing material) I wonder if this 'exercise in democracy' is worth the time and effort so many people put into it considering the blatant disregard this government shows for public opinion? If either of the other party leaders actually started listening to the majority voice and acting upon the peoples' wishes they would surely be guaranteed a win at the next election!

Brian, Farnham, Surrey

Let's hope that road pricing becomes New Labour's "Poll Tax "achilles heel. Just remember, people: they're vowing to ignore your opinion. That means that you should NOT vote Labour next time. Or do the gullible British have memories long enough?

Davie, Aberdeen, Scotland

As an Office Manager in rural Warwickshire not a single member of my staff lives within 8 miles of work, many come from as far away as Coventry, Banbury and Worcester to reach the unit. A hefty £25/£30 per day congestion charge on top of already escalating petrol prices and we would have either mass bankruptcy, homeworking or an awful lot of people backed up along the Fosse Way! It really is going to destroy some families this and make work in the rail catered-for cities extremely contested. With property prices in rural England the way they are, thousands of rural businesses will be at risk.

Simon Moody, Stratford Upon Avon, England

Why is this a story? Last time I checked we still lived in a parliamentary democracy, not some extention of the Big Brother TV programme where the number of phone votes or e-mails decide policies. The reason there are so many names on this petition is because of the ludicrous urban myth spread around on the web that the Government had to drop any policy if there were 750,000 names in opposition.

Albert Williams, Penzance, Cornwall

If ministers are going to ignore the petition, maybe a march on Downing Street by a million motorists might change their minds. Maybe we could do it on April 1, in honour of Mr Alexander.

Ian Chandler, Horley, UK

Interesting that Eddingtons report was comissioned by the treasury not the department of transport. No surprise then that its conclusion was more tax. They are offering no alternatives. People have to drive at peak times to get to work, we have no choice. This is simply a typical Labour plan to take more tax from us under the guise of being green. Without any commitment to invest in public transport we can see it for what it is. Lies. These people cannot be trusted and are only interested in getting more of our money.

Andrew Johnson, Market Harborough,

Electronic road pricing operates in Singapore. It does nothing to prevent so called "congestion." If people need to travel somewhere, charging them to do so will not stop them from doing it. Businesses who have to use the roads will simply pass their costs onto their customers. Of course as many people have already mentioned a marvelous pay per mile scheme already operates, its called fuel tax.

Jono, Bristol, UK

For truth read lies, for democracy read contempt for everybody, for common sense read complete stupity and for concern read disinterest, such is the vanity and contempt the Blair and Brown Buffoon Bunch have for the electorate . The petition against the planned Road Pricing Policy Proposal cannot be ignored by them and the patronising Douglas Alexander. Remember Thatcher and the Poll Tax. New Labour have failed the MOT. Time to take them off the road forever

nigel massey, Cricklade, Wilts

The politicians are in their positions to do what the people want. not what they want. A million people so far have made known that they do not want these changes, to go ahead is undemocratic. The proposed pay per mile was not in their manifesto. The politicians are dictating to us that they will do this against the will of the people.
It's time they went.

Smokeless Coal, Hastings, e Sussex

"Douglas Alexander, the Transport Secretary, said last night that the signatures showed the strength of feeling among motorists but would not deter him from commissioning large-scale road-pricing trials."

What an arrogant little muppet. He'll be telling us to eat cake next.

Susie, Berkshire,

I OPPOSE ANY EXTRA TAXATION ON MOTORISTS.
We pay a fortune to keep our cars on the road.New roads/ motorways etc should be paid from road fund liciences.
Public Transport is a farce and deserves to have much more government control and investment to attract people to use it.There should be many more park and ride facilities set up in all towns and cities enabling congestion to be sorted out,leaving much room,(free of pollution) for pedestrians.

Richard Todd, Clacton-on-Sea,

Interesting that the correspondent from Doncaster can refer to other people cuasing environmental damage ( still a supposition by scientists anjd not a fact) but does not consider his own. In writing his email he would have used a computer using scarce energy for its production and running, in feeding his pet further pollution is caused by the production of the pet food. Of course the other responsible motorists he refers to will undoubtably not have any exhaust fumes!

George, bracknell, berkshire

On the current suggestions of £1.34 per mile for peak time motorway travel (which I am obliged to undertake for my work) I estimate my personal cost will exceed £25,000 per annum. I may as well go on benefits!

John Maxwell, Widnes, Cheshire

What will be next, a tax on breathing?!? What nonsene, of course the government will know where we are, otherwise the system would not work!!!

Adam, UK,

Richard from London takes a cheap shot at genuine criticism of a flawed theory to tackle traffic congestion. If I was on his planet , I could say his criticism comes from a paronoid conspiracy theory propagated by muddled left wing thinkers to denigrate opposition to congestion charging. As I am not, I won't . I would like to appeal to everyone to challenge congestion charging and those who offer it as a sensible solution to a complex problem.

Trevor, Blackburn,

People seem to be skirting around the most important issue here, to make the system work _at all_ requires a big database of every journey you take, every mile you travel, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Money wise it requires a GPS tracker with mobile phone technology, last time I checked if you want to buy a phone without a contract (the phone network won't make any money on the calls with this one!) it was in excess of 100GBP for the most basic model. Add fitting costs in a way that disables the car if the system cannot get a signal and spot checks to every car in the UK.

Of course it will be on average much more expensive - they have to cover the capital costs up front which for a standard car are going to be in excess of the road tax.

Will Munns, Cambridge, UK

It's obvious to everyone now that this government only has contempt for the electroate. Here's an arguement though. The executive place the views of big business far above their constituents. I suggest the large motor companies lobby the government to drop this scheme. Making life owning a car more miserable can only result in fewer sales.

David Turner, Leeds, England

I have signed the petition, and thought at the time that it might possibly be a waste of time. How much longer is this government going to ignor the people it is supposed to be serving? I take the children to school, as the bus service is so useless, the pavements littered with dog mess, white vans driving on the pavements to get round vehicles trying to turn. I despair at the state of this country, and I dislike being made to feel like this.

karen, poole,