Road pricing has in the past been considered politically unfeasible. But results of a new survey reveal that 47% of the population would in fact be in favour of the idea if it replaced current taxation streams.

Just 23% opposed the prospect while the remaining 30% were either undecided or did not have an opinion either way, according to the survey conducted as part of the Institution of Civil Engineers’ 2018 ‘State of the Nation: Infrastructure Investment’ report.

The assessment recommends that Government should now give serious consideration to replacing the existing vehicle tax and fuel duty regime with a pay as you go model to charge drivers for using the busiest roads in England.

The proposal comes in recognition of that fact that as progress continues to be made towards electric vehicles and cleaner fuels, traditional tax and duty charges will start to dwindle.

“It’s important that we recognise the changing societal landscape and adapt accordingly,” said ICE vice president Paul Sheffield. “Moving towards an electric vehicle fleet will require a change in the way taxes are charged and collected.

“This report makes recommendations to Government as we work together to create a sustainable future for infrastructure.”

The report also recommends that the Government should consider the feasibility of establishing a UK Investment Bank as a contingency against the possible loss of access to the European Investment Bank in future.

AECOM’s chief executive for the UK and Ireland David Barwell commented: “The EU’s European Investment Bank has worked for decades to bring private capital into infrastructure projects – but the UK’s membership of the bank could end post-Brexit. The need for new ways to mobilise private capital is even more pressing as Britain prepares to leave the European Union.”

In addition the report says active steps should be taken to allow the use of alternative funding and financing mechanisms for infrastructure including asset recycling, land value capture and crowdfunding.

(Photograph: Alastair Lloyd)