Road price trial will start within two years

The first experiment in road-charging will be set up within two years, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling announced today.

Mr Darling is determined to push ahead with his "pay-as-you-drive" charge, claiming it is essential to stop Britain's roads reaching gridlock.

The scheme has been attacked by motorists' groups which claim a typical commuter could pay £6,500 a year to drive in and out of London.

The satellite-based system would see cars fitted with a "black box" tracking device and charged according to time and route. Suggested fees range from 2p a mile for country lanes to £1.30 a mile on congested routes at peak times.

The variable system is expected to be used to target the school run and commuters travelling at rush hour.

The Motorists' Association has condemned the scheme as " legalised theft" and a "money-raising racket" for the Government. In a speech to the Social Market Foundation in London today, Mr Darling said he wanted to set up two pilot schemes within the next two years. If successful, a national system could be in operation in ten to 15 years.

To offset the additional cost, he is promising to reduce fuel duty or cut the cost of the tax disc. He said the scheme was not designed to stop people driving but to prevent gridlock on Britain's roads. The objective was "to make sure we can provide drivers with a realistic opportunity of getting around the country - or risk being stuck in gridlock".

Mr Darling said he wanted to make a decision on whether to proceed within the course of this Parliament. London's congestion charge scheme could be incorporated into the national system. Transport for London experts have been working with the Department of Transport on the plans.

Mr Darling will be buoyed by a Mori survey showing that nearly half the public are in favour of motorists paying more during peak times. The poll for IT consultancy Detica found 34 per cent were against with 47 per cent in favour.

There was also general support for the concept of tracking devices in cars. Some 20 per cent said they would install a black box if it helped reduce insurance premiums, while 27 per cent said they backed technology if it helped emergency services locate them after a crash.

Detica's head of transport Grant Klein said: "While concerns have been raised over civil liberties issues, the research clearly shows that the public recognises there can be benefits to in-car tracking."