Europe is facing
major transport problems as a result of traffic congestion. In the face
of rising car ownership, pricing instruments as part of an integrated
package of measures are increasingly seen as the most effective strategy
to reduce traffic.
The European Commission
has been at the forefront of initiatives to tackle congestion. Documents
outlining a Citizens Network for Europe and more fair and efficient
pricing of transport modes are doing a lot to influence policy thinking
in EU member states. Furthermore, in September 1997, a major seminar
was held in Brussels on the issue of road pricing and its social and
political acceptance.
In order to advance
road pricing initiatives in Europe, the commission has shown its willingness
to co-operate with cross-national groups of urban authorities who are
seriously considering implementing road pricing. In direct response
to this, Bristol City Council in the UK has drawn together a group of
8 major cities, who aim to work closely with the Commission in order
to progress road pricing initiatives in their areas.
The 8 core cities
of the EURoPrice network have come together for mutual political support,
to exchange experiences in a pan-European forum and to provide a focus
for city/regional issues in the road pricing debate. In this context
the key objectives of the network are defined as:
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To undertake
a series of joint fora addressing the key issues involved in implementing
road pricing schemes - the obstacles and necessary success criteria.
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To develop a
common position on road pricing in European cities.
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To inform and
support the National and European policy debate on road pricing.
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To take a co-ordinated
approach to demonstration and research efforts in road pricing.
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To disseminate
the experience gained to other cities in Europe who are considering
road pricing in order to speed up the process of wider implementation