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NEW @IpsosMORI on v important #transport policy topic and one talked about recently as a potential solution to ‘tax hole’ = #congestion charging / #roads #roadpricing | Short thread follows and a blog if you’d rather: https://www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk/road-pricing-timely-or-toxic
We asked whether people support or oppose charging road users a fee to drive in and around certain towns/city centres – “schemes are designed to reduce traffic congestion, improve local environment e.g. by reducing emissions, or raise revenue to invest in transport”
It’s not an exact or direct comparison (given different survey methods) but we asked the exact same question back in 2007 – then, 33% supported, 48% opposed
This is an “in principle” measure without policy/operational detail [a bit like tax, people are keen on the idea as citizens but may cool as consumers (‘I’m happy if other people/towns, cities can pay’)…]
But underlines that we have a very different cultural backdrop to growing interest in road pricing as an option to change behaviour and raise revenue
This is evident in responses to questions where clarity is provided about the use of revenues raised | People are supportive across the board, except where revenues are used for road tax relief | Opposition weakens when pollution/polluters are tackled
And also NEW – we put the same questions to 'Captains' of industry (top 500 companies/fwk earlier this year) who were even more supportive of such schemes
