Press Release

Wednesday 9July 2003

For immediaterelease

Expansion and Charging - the right road, says IoD

Governmentplans to widen roads and to look into road pricing was welcomed today by theInstitute of Directors (IoD).

Graeme Leach,Chief Economist at the IoD, said:

"Twoyears ago we wrote a report asking for more roads along with road pricing. Weare therefore pleased to see today's announcement by the Government on wideningmotorways and developing a feasibility study on road tolls.

"However,improvements to the motorways will take a considerable time to complete and anyroad charges must be offset by lower vehicle excise and fuel duties."

Ends 9.7.03 No.180

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Notesfor editors

1.      A copy of the policypaper, More roads and road pricing -the way to go? (August 2001) canbe downloaded from www.iod.com/policy/papers

2. The Institute ofDirectors is a non-party political independent organisation with around 55,000members. In addition to its wide range of business services, the IoD providesan effective voice to represent the interests of its members to government andkey opinion-formers. It also brings the experience of business leaders to bearon the conduct of public affairs

Contact Points:

Richard Taylor, PressOfficer, tel: 020 7451 3264

mobile and out of hours: 07721 734886

David Marshall,Director of Public Affairs, tel: 020 7451 3263

mobile and outof hours: 0776 4883420

email: press@iod.com

web: www.iod.com