MOTORISTS face charges of up to £1.30 a mile for driving on the most congested roads inside the M25 surrounding London under plans being drawn up by government advisers.

The Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT) believes the move would cut traffic in greater London by 50% and allow council tax bills in the area to be halved.

The proposals by CfIT, a government-funded body, come as the Tories prepare to announce plans for a network of American-style tolled express lanes on Britain’s busiest motorways.

Launching their transport manifesto this week, they will pledge a review of all speed limits and will consider raising the 70mph limit on motorways to 80mph, while curbing speed thresholds in some urban areas or at accident blackspots.

The CfIT road-pricing plan goes further than the central London congestion charge, a flat-rate fee that will increase from £5 a day to £8 in July.

The blueprint would cover all roads within the M25 and see drivers charged different rates on every road according to the distance they travelled and the time of day. For example, motorists would pay up to £1.30 a mile for the busiest roads such as the North Circular at peak times, while quieter routes or times of day would be free or carry a lower levy.

The CfIT has not yet finalised how to deal with all the details of the scheme, for example how drivers would be informed of what charges they were paying. In addition, there would be uncertain knock-on effects. For example, drivers may divert off onto smaller “rat runs” that would then in turn become congested.

The charge would be levied using roadside beacons to detect electronic tags in passing cars, and satellite tracking. Trials of “tag and beacon” technology have already taken place, and Bob Kiley, commissioner of Transport for London, recently said more extensive “demonstration projects” could be phased in to the capital’s boroughs within four to seven years.

CfIT, which is likely to publish its plans after the election, believes the scheme would generate £3 billion a year. A third would cover operating costs. The commission reckons half the remaining £2 billion could be used for public transport and infrastructure, leaving £1 billion to halve council tax bills.

“We have to find ways in which road pricing can be made more attractive,” said David Begg, whose term as head of CfIT ended last week.

Under Tory plans, private companies would be encouraged to build extra lanes, known as hot lanes, on some motorways. Some would be reserved for car-sharers, but lone drivers could also use them if they paid a toll.

The Tories also want to introduce fast lanes for which all users would be charged, as well as new toll roads.

“Our motorway coverage is less than most of our European competitors’ and congestion is getting worse,” said Tim Yeo, shadow transport secretary.

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