The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has welcomed government plans to focus less narrowly on its congestion charge policy and look instead to a wider range of schemes.

Alternative schemes to tackle congestion, improve safety and reduce CO2 emissions are supported by the trade body FTA, but it hopes the taxpayer will not have to pay lots towards it and that small local businesses are not affected by any new plans.

Previously, councils had to seek investment funding for initiatives tackling congestion from the Transport Innovation Fund, which required the introduction of local road pricing to qualify for the money.

Now, the government has opted for Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) investment, meaning councils can implement plans to combat excessive congestion without charging road users.

Currently, drivers entering the Congestion Charge Zone in London pay from £8 per day for the privilege.

There are certain exemptions and discounts available and vehicles producing low CO2 emissions enter the zone at a discounted rate as the charge was intended to reduce carbon emissions in the capital as well as traffic.

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