WARRINGTON'S motorists could be the first to test new technology which may be used in a scheme to charge road users.

The moves are part of a Government scheme called 'Breaking the Logjam.' This document highlights the need for new traffic management measures to enable local authorities to tackle congestion and pollution.

If Warrington Borough Council is successful, around 1,000 volunteer motorists will take part in the year-long study. There would be no cost to road users or the council as the experiment is only designed to test the new technology.

Council bosses have suggested the Birchwood area as a possible site for the study, due to its motorway links and self contained areas of business and retail parks. Volunteer's cars would be 'tagged' and beacons and video cameras would be mounted at the side of the roads which would register when the vehicle drives past.

Members of the Strategic Planning and Transportation sub-committee discussed the plans on Wednesday night.

Chairman Clr Mike Hughes said: "I am satisfied we can gain useful experience by being associated with this project.

"It would help us to bring transport issues to public attention and ties in very well with the council's transportation study.

"There are no costs to anyone concerned and we would not be committed to introducing road charging afterwards. It is an idea which is not going to be viable in every area so we need to carefully investigate the proposals. Participating in the trail is the ideal way to achieve this."

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