THE Government has abandoned controversial plans to introduce charges for motorway users, despite planning trials of electronic charging systems. The plans are politically, and potentially electorally sensitive because motorways are the responsibility of central Government via the Highways Agency.

The equally sensitive proposals for urban road charging and workplace parking levies, however, fall under the remit of local authorities (also elected). The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions insists, however, that it wants to be certain of the tolling technology before moving forward.

A spokesman for the DETR said: 'The technology is not up to the stage where it can be used yet. It is no good introducing powers for something that you cannot do. The technology needs to be thoroughly tested in all weathers before we can be certain that it would be right for use on the motorway network.'