Demands are growing for the introduction of Road Charging in Birmingham, according to the Birmingham Post. The latest push follows regional transport statistics published by the Department for Transport. They show that employees in Birmingham take 26 minutes on average to get to work, one of the longest journey times in the UK. Currently, congestion is measured in the West Midlands at 6,000 cars per kilometre of road per day, a higher traffic density than anywhere else outside London.
As such the West Midlands has been urged to take a lead and consider various forms of road charging. A report published in September by West Midlands Local Authorities, suggested a £4 charge a day to travel into Central Birmingham. My main concerns with this type of road charging is that firstly, it’s a regressive tax, and second it could well have the effect of increasing congestion immediately outside the zone. Furthermore, as Birmingham Chamber of Commerce has raised, the case is yet to be proven that road charging is economically beneficial. The only practical example we have in the UK is the London Congestion Charge and here the economic consequences are mixed. While the charge is undoubtedly reducing journey times and therefore reducing the economic cost of congestion, it is possible that the fall in visitors to central London is offsetting any gains.
Alternatively, of course, the authorities could upgrade the road network, remove bottlenecks and invest in Public Transport.
18/11/2006 at 00:17 |
I also read reports recently about New Street Station becoming overcrowded. There are plans to redevlop the whole thing, but one point of congestion charging is to get people out of cars and onto public transport. As it is, at peak times one is forced to squeeze onto trains, or wait for another. I dont believe congestion charging could come in at least until the new New Street Station has been completed.
18/11/2006 at 01:06 |
The truth is a congestion charge would be pretty useles in Birmingham. Central Birmingham is not where motorists are spending half an hour on average getting home, it’s further beyond where people get repeatedly stuck, and where the congestion charge being floated wouldn’t be in operation. These areas could possibly become even more congested as motorits drive as far towards the zone then circle it.
18/11/2006 at 09:44 |
I agree with what both of you are saying. V fair comment.
My understanding of the overcrowding issue at New Street is that it relates to passenger capacity not train capacity (so adding more carriages won’t help). The New Street redevelopment should focus primarily on transport needs. I am concerned that it is at risk of becoming another one of those damned “prestige” projects.
On the other hand the Conservative candidate for Bimingham Ladywood ward (Peter Smallbone) is much more aware of the issues than me.
24/04/2009 at 12:23 |
My fellow on Orkut shared this link and I’m not dissapointed at all that I came here.
19/06/2009 at 13:52 |
i am the best and yu bladddy kknooowww itt BRAPP (H)