FLEET drivers could see their work significantly changed by white paper measures introducing tolls on trunk roads and motorways. If such charges were deemed to be excessive, essential car users used to travelling on business throughout the country could find themselves limited to much more local areas to avoid being hit by motorway charges, according to the Association of Car Fleet Operators.

Chairman Tony Leigh said: 'It may well be that managers and other employees who are used to covering a large area of the UK may have to rethink the area that they cover.

He said reaction to the white paper from members had so far been 'muted', but he added that motorway tolling was an area that concerned fleet managers, as companies choosing more local routes for staff could lead to a need for different types of vehicle. He said fleet bosses may also have a part to play in journey planning, although it would be a 'complicated equation' to work out the benefits of using toll roads or side roads: 'The benefits between saving time on the motorway and the costs are going to have to be worked out,' he said.