MOTORISTS in Redbridge could face the prospect of charges per mile for using the borough's busiest roads at peak times.

The proposals by the Commission for Integrated Transport (CFIT) will be presented to the government this week.

Its report contains measures aimed at slashing traffic congestion by half over the next decade.

Some of the borough's busiest roads such as the M25, M11 and the A406 North Circular could be hit by the charge that may be as much as 45p a mile.

Commission chairman and deviser of the plan Professor David Begg believes that gridlock, unpredictable journey times and pollution will get out of control if action is not taken. He says the initiative which will benefit all road users.

Leyton and Wanstead MP Harry Cohen is in favour of the proposals, providing public transport is in place to support the change.

Mr Cohen said he "would support the commission's proposals only for selected areas provided there were exemptions for people supplying goods and services. I would like to see the money made ploughed back into the transport system."

Under CfIT's proposals all cars would be fitted with a small unit linked to a satellite navigation system covering motorways to residential areas nationwide.

Vehicles would be charged according to the road space they used and the time they used it and payment would be via monthly bills. Charges on motorways would average about 3.5 p a mile on weekdays and on other roads 4.3 p. The busiest roads could see a charge of up to 45p.

CfIT suggests that to compensate for the charges motorists would see car tax scrapped and the duty on vehicle fuel cut.

Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith believes that the proposals are "yet another attack on the motorist, especially workers, who have no choice but to use their cars during peak times".