Labour could give private firms new powers to launch toll roads in fresh attack on drivers

New rules could soon be introduced that could see tolls installed on a greater number of roads across the country, at a time when millions of people are struggling with the cost of living crisis.

The new Highways (Financing) Bill was put forward earlier this month by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander without a written Parliamentary statement.

The Bill could allow private firms to charge tolls in return for securing works on trunk roads across England, sparking criticism from experts.

Proposed rules would also include a "special administration regime" for licence holders and deal with the collection and enforcement of tolls charged under other Acts.

It states that companies could be granted a licence to charge tolls if they are responsible for the construction of a highway, increasing the capacity of a highway or maintaining a highway.

Licences would initially be granted by the Office of Road and Rail (ORR), although the Transport Secretary would have the final say on consenting to the licence.

Documents associated with the Highways (Financing) Bill allow for a licence to continue for a specific period, or until it is revoked by the ORR or the Secretary of State.

The tolls could be used by private companies to recoup costs associated with building the new stretch of highway, or the cost of maintaining it.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, some experts have slammed the new proposals, arguing that they will further hammer drivers who continue to struggle with the soaring cost of motoring.

Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden accused Labour of planning a "stealth tax bonanza" in Prime Minister Andy Burnham's first Budget next month.

He noted that drivers would soon face pay-per-mile charges, after former Chancellor Rachel Reeves gave the green light to Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) last year.

From 2028, this will see electric car owners pay three pence per mile when travelling, while drivers of plug-in hybrids will pay 1.5p, as the Government attempts to raise funds to mitigate future losses from fuel duty.

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Fuel duty will have a further impact on drivers in January, as the Government plans to hike costs by 3p per litre after climbing down from a proposed cut in September and December this year.

Mr Holden said: "Labour is trying to slyly slip out plans for charging for road use with no thought as to even capping what could be charged while potentially creating a wild west of punitive new charges.

"It's clear Labour are trying to dodge accountability as they keep hammering away at drivers who they simply see as a cash cow."

The RAC estimates that there are 20 toll roads in the UK, with 18 of these being river crossings. The majority of tolls are found on motorways and A-roads.

AA President Edmund King acknowledged that drivers would welcome further improvements to the strategic road network, but warned that private contractors should not take advantage of this.

He explained that motorists are already forking out £34billion a year in fuel duty and road tax, with additional charges being a "toll too far".

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "A licence holder would not be able to introduce new tolls without permission and any tolls introduced under this legislation will be capped and independently regulated [by the ORR].

"This Government is improving conditions for drivers with a record £24-billion investment to fix roads and mend potholes, traffic jam-busting infrastructure like the Lower Thames Crossing, and launching the first Road Safety Strategy in a decade."