UK industry is dependent upon its continuing ability to deliver goods on time. So road congestion is a serious and growing threat to business – and to the whole UK economy, argues Richard Turner, the Freight Transport Association’s chief executive.

THE growing threat of congestion to business van and freight operators means road pricing, along with other initiatives, will be necessary to manage road space demand.

But there are many things we need to do before road pricing is instigated.

There’s road building to ease congestion blackspots; motorway widening; night deliveries; changes in school hours; daylight saving; better public transport; and home working.

These are a range of actions that would ease congestion before road pricing.

But when road pricing is, inevitably introduced, I don’t believe we will all pay the same maximum rate. Because we’ll all end up using the same road at the same time.

While this might raise money, it will have totally missed the target: reducing congestion.

For businesses the equation is simple. If you pay a £5 fee and get £6 of value from reduced journey times and more reliable deliveries, then business will vote for road pricing.

If, however, you pay a £5 fee and get just £4 of value, then businesses – indeed all road users – will reject the plan.

Road pricing by itself will not solve the congestion crisis.

But if it is used sensibly and sensitively, after a whole range of positive investment and policy decisions on the operation of the roads network has been put into effect, then it can influence the behaviour of a key percentage of road users.

And convert a gridlocked motorway into a free-flowing, efficient road.