Road user charging

Facts & figures

• In 2002/03, 64% of all our journeys in Britain were made by car (DfT Travel Trends 2004).

• Around a quarter of all car journeys made in Britian in 2002/03 were under 2 miles in length (DfT 2005).

• Road traffic in Britain grew by 81% between 1980 and 2005, albeit more slowly during the 90s than the 80s (DfT 2005).

• Traffic is expected to grow by 26% by 2010 (from 2000 levels) and by 40% by 2025 (DfT 2004).

• By 2035, there could be nearly 3 times as much traffic as there was in 1980 - but nothing like 3 times as much road capacity (DfT 2004).

• The UK suffers from the most congested roads in Europe (CfIT 2001).

• Between 1997 and 2005 the real cost of motoring declined by 9%, bus and coach fares increased by an average of 15% and rail fares increased by 5% (DfT 2006).