London motorists pay a �5 charge

The Confederation of British Industry is to make its case as part of the steering group set up by the government to investigate cutting road traffic.

But motoring groups are worried that, while the move may benefit business, ordinary motorists will be worse off.

In central London motorists already pay �5 to drive between 0700 and 1900.

CBI business environment director Michael Roberts told BBC News: "We are the most heavily taxed motorists in Europe.

"And we get the worst deal in terms of the most congested roads."

There has to be a better way of getting a fairer deal - whether you are a business user or just an average motorist CBI business environment director Michael Roberts

Every year, British motorists pay more than �30bn road tax and fuel duty, he added.

And the "average motorist feels he gets a pretty raw deal".

"He is feeling fairly congested.

"There has to be a better way of getting a fairer deal - whether you are a business user or just an average motorist."

A "pay-as-you-go" charge would "establish a link between what you pay and what you get", Mr Roberts told BBC News.

Motorists using the most congested roads would pay more while those using rural routes would pay less, he added.

Reduced congestion

"Not all parts of the country are congested.

"There are some parts of the country where changing your mode of travel is going to be an option.

"In other parts of the country public transport is not going to provide a decent alternative - but you might see more people changing the time of day they travel."

The result would be reduced congestion, an improved road network and "a better deal for our money", Mr Roberts told BBC News.

Pricing drivers off the roads without providing adequate public transport alternatives is simply not an option RAC

But motoring group RAC spokeswoman Nicola Thunhurst told BBC News Online four out of every five drivers were against the plan.

"The RAC Report on Motoring 2003 showed 49% of motorists would support the introduction of road charges for cars if all the money raised was spent on improving the existing roads, 40% supported the introduction of charging for road use if road tax was reduced by �50 every year - but only 20% supported road charges alone.

"The new M6 Toll, which is scheduled to open in January, will provide an interesting case study to judge whether motorists are prepared to pay in order to ease their journey."

Ms Thunhurst told BBC News Online: "RAC agrees with the CBI that motorists already suffer a heavy economic burden without reaping the benefits."

But she added: "Pricing drivers off the roads without providing adequate public transport alternatives is simply not an option.

"It is important that business, government and motoring organisations engage to discuss this issue in a balanced way."