One interesting side note contained within the Transport Committee's Better Roads report, which politely applies the political equivalent of a document shredder to the government's plan for the Highways Agency, is that of the ever controversial subject of road tolling.
While we now have the HGV Road User Levy, the report touches on road tolls and the fact that roads minister Robert Goodwill during the evidence he gave to MPs was quite clear that the government had no intention of bringing in general road tolling.
It is clear from the transport committee's reaction to Goodwill's position that it believes that ultimately his position in regards road tolls is untenable (especially given the DfT's own prediction of a 46% increase in traffic on the road network by 2040, which will demand significant investment).
"If traffic forecasts are correct, the government will need to increase investment in the road network substantially during the next decade.
"Simultaneously, income from fuel duty is likely to decline as use of the next decade [and] income from fuel duty is likely to decline as use of fuel-efficient low-emission vehicles increases. This is a challenge that must be addressed, " the report states.
Rather amusingly the committee adds that a consensus would be required if road tolling was to be introduced to the strategic road network. Given the drama around tolling the A14 The Hub wishes all involved the very best with that one.