Should we charge visitors to Britain for the use of our roads like in France and Switerland?

Answer 1

France doesn't charge visitors to use its roads.
However, it does charge tolls on most Autoroutes - to all vehicles, not just visitors. You can avoid these tolls by using alternative routes (French law says there must be a non-toll alternative for all toll roads, except for bridges).

Switzerland does charge visitors to use its motorway network - the charge for locals is included in their annual car/road taxes.

Given that we in the UK have to pay taxes to allow us to use our roads, it would make sense to charge visitors. However, I suspect that our Government and Civil Service would make such a mess of introducing such a scheme that it would not make enough money to cover the costs of running it, and those of us that live here would end up paying extra for it.

Answer 2

France and Switzerland have different 'road pricing' structures.

In France, people pay to use certain sections (not all) of the motorway network. They pay tolls situated either on the motorway or at exit points.

In Switzerland, all vehicles have to pay a one off payment (per year) of SFR40 (About £20) to display a Vignette (tax disk) on their windscreen IF they wish to use the motorway network. Road users who wish to stay to trunk roads do not need to buy a Vignette.

It could be argued that visitors to the UK do not pay Road Tax as British drivers do. However, Germany, Holland, Belgium and many other European countires do not charge visitors to use their roads.

If there were to be a charge to visitors, I'd favour the Vignette system. People tend to accept a flat rate charge better than a continous 'dipping' into their pocket. The Vignette system is easier and cheaper to set up and could be enfoced at ports of entry.

A charge of £20 (for cars) would be fair, as after all Switzerland finds that to be sufficient where they have massive road building costs on account of the mountainous country.

However, knowing our barmy Governemnt, they'd want to charge everybody (including the British) about £70, and thereby cause a reduction in tourism.

Answer 3

NO - definitely not. How on earth would that be policed? It would cost more to the country to police and in loss of other revenue (tourists spending money in shops / hotels / restaurants, etc.), than the money made. Let's face it, it's everyone in France who gets charged to use the toll roads, as it is in several other European countries. Not that I'm saying we should have loads of toll roads - what a nightmare! What's the point of us paying road tax, if not to have the money ploughed back into the road infrastructure? The only reason that the M6 toll road works is because it offers a congestion-free alternative to the main M6 - how many companies will go out of business because there are limits to the travel one can undertake due to there being a plethora of toll roads, and no alternatives?
'Scuse the soap box, but I've got to rein myself in on the subject of toll roads in Britain!

Answer 4

I don't think all that many people actually come over by car and use our roads - of course a few do, but remember that France and Switzerland are countries within mainland Europe, so probably have a lot more foreign traffic passing through.

To set up such a scheme would probably cost us more than we would gain back anyway... as inefficient as this sort of thing is over here.
All motorist already pay a fairly hefty charge on petrol over here - wherever they are from.

Answer 5

God ! could you imagine that .. There would be an emergency UN Security Council meeting called by Outer Mongolia and whogivesafuckistan .. Britain would be in breech of every road traffic violation under the sun..

Answer 6

Soon there will be private tol roads in Britain. DBFO,
means, design, build, finance and operate is the future
for better infrastructure in any developed country. And
one has to pay for it, no matter who, a British or Swiss.
Don't be mean.

Answer 7

Yes, we would have to pay too.. Unless you mean maybe on certain roads from France, like the euro tunnel and stuff..

Answer 8

I feel this would not be a good thing!! why people should pay to circulate also? It is likely we are charged too to breathe or to have water.

Answer 9

if we did that we would have to also pay to use them the goverment get enough money out of motorists as it is and don,t put the money back in to the roads

Answer 10

naaah, don't think so