MORE than two thirds of motorists support nationwide congestion charging but only if there is an equivalent reduction in other motoring taxes, a survey has found.

Only one in eight drivers believes that the Government would keep its promise not to use road tolls to raise extra revenue. Four out of five would like to see an independent body established to safeguard the interests of road users, including ensuring that most of the proceeds from tolls were used to improve roads.

The RAC Foundation repeated a survey that it first commissioned in 2002 and found a slight fall in support for tolls. GfK Automotive questioned 500 drivers and found that 70 per cent, down from 74.5 per cent in 2002, would support tolls if fuel duty and vehicle excise duty were reduced by an equivalent amount.

The proportion supporting tolls if they were introduced as a package including better roads, public transport and traffic management fell from 71 per cent to 61 per cent.

There was an increase in the proportion of drivers who believed that using satellite- tracking would be an infringement of personal liberty, up from from 52 per cent to 58 per cent. The survey also found concern that tolls could force those on low incomes off the road. A total of 58 per cent believed that this group should be protected.

Alistair Darling, the Transport Secretary, has said that a national charging system could be introduced by 2015, with a top rate of £1.34 a mile.

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