news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5249538.stm

Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander will seek powers to create toll roads across the UK, reports have said.

In a leaked letter in the Sunday Times, he outlines plans for a bill for widespread tolls to combat congestion.

Local authorities currently set charges - such as London's - but in the letter Mr Alexander says he should be able to set simpler national standards.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it had no intention of imposing road-pricing on local authorities

Ministers currently give their approval for local schemes like London's congestion charge.

In a letter to Leader of the Commons Jack Straw, dated 20 July, Mr Alexander argues he should set national levels to prevent confusion that would arise if different cities adopted different schemes.


We are considering pilots on the trunk road network as an important stage towards national road-pricing
Douglas Alexander
in leaked letter report

Drivers would be charged on a pay-as-you-go basis, with black boxes in their cars working out how far they drive on toll roads.

"The main purpose of the bill would be to support our efforts to cut congestion and improve public transport, particularly in the major cities outside London," the letter said.

"It would also help to pave the way for a national road-pricing scheme in the medium to long term.

"I would propose reforming the current arrangements for approving local road-pricing schemes, providing better targeted powers to ensure that schemes are consistent with a national framework.

'See benefits'

"Current legislation offers very limited powers for pricing on the trunk road network outside of the area of a local scheme.

"We are considering pilots on the trunk road network as an important stage towards national road-pricing."

A DfT spokeswoman said: "The Government has been very clear about the need to explore road pricing as a way to tackle congestion.

"It is only right that we explore what legislation might be required to do this.

Queen's Speech

"With any scheme it will be important that the motorist can see the benefits - improving reliability and tackling congestion."

Mr Straw is drawing up the list of bills to be included in the Queen's Speech in the autumn.

In another letter obtained by the newspaper, Mr Straw is reported to outline 13 bills expected to also be included.

They cover criminal justice, consumer protection, digital switch-over; criminal trials; free bus travel for pensioners; further education; new powers for the London Mayor; health and social security; House of Lords reform; local government; organised crime; pensions; and Child Support Agency reform. Read more

Recently hired a Ford Focus TDCI, quite impressed with performance and economy regularly averaged over 40mpg quite easily with an average of 45mpg rising to 50mpg on motorways (a/c always on) 2/3 people seated. Engine pulls well although sounds a bit "grough". Engine only had 5000 mile on the clock so not really run in. Is this about right?

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Can anyone out there please advise of a supplier/stockist for these oils in the SW of England?
Thank you. Read more

I've just come back from Italy for the umpteenth time and it struck me while I was there how Italians generally do not seem bothered by the badge on their car. They all look very stylishly dressed but their car seems to be entirely a tool to get from A to B, thus the proliferation of old Fiats and little runabouts.
I've also travelled a lot in Germany and it always strikes me there how different they are too. True, BMWs and Mercs are still seen as a cut above but VWs are totally run of the mill. That's why they sell thousands upon thousands of them every month.
The reason for my post was why are we so obsessed with image when other countries don't seem to be that fussed? Why do we seem to think that VW is upmarket when the rest of Europe see them as runabouts? Why are Italians happy with their beaten up little runabouts when we all seem to aspire to the "greatness" of a Polo because it's got a VW badge on it? Particularly when we know they're pretty ordinary cars.
Is it something to do with the British class system I wonder? Didn't that die a death decades ago? And isn't it interesting how other countries take pride in their national products (Italians buy lots of Fiats, the French buy lots of Renaults etc.) when we went out of our way to buy anything as long as it wasn't British?
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Having covered 12000 miles since the time I bought the Passat, I have now almost reduced all 4 tyres to a bald patch!

After much forum searching I have now narrowed my choice to the following ones.

1)Goodyear F1 GSD3's(lots of backroomer recommendations however does not seem to be available in 195-65-15 size for the Passat)

2)Kumho Ecsta- ultra high performance-don?t know much but supposedly as good as any others.

3)Toyo proxies-superb dry performance

4)Lastly the Michelin Pilot Primacy-both good dry and wet grip.presently the front two tyres,but looking to see if there are any better alternatives

With an average mileage of 25k a year, Im looking for really good grip and dry/wet performance abilities over everything else!
Im not as bothered about the wear and tear ,and likewise would probably prefer something that is dearer but has a greater chance of keeping me on the road should an emergency arise!

Any comments/advise thanks in advance.

John




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