Congestion taxes merely shift and divert traffic elsewhere. In London, outside the tax zone, many residential roads have become rat-runs and overspill car parks as drivers seek to avoid paying the charge. Congestion has risen around the zone; for example, a survey by Trafficmaster has found that journeys along the A3 from Cobham to Clapham have soared by 19 per cent, from 53 minutes on average last year to 63 minutes this year.

In addition, congestion taxes are unfair. Low-income drivers find it hardest to pay. Many key workers have no option to drive since they work anti-social hours or do not feel safe on public transport. Shoppers and tourists would be discouraged from coming into Guildford. The influential Federation of Small Businesses has advised that London congestion charging has caused prices to rise and forced some small firms to close or move from the tax zone. Would we want this repeated across Guildford High Street ?

And new taxes are unfair on motorists who already pay £45 billion a year in transport taxes. At a time when taxes have gone through the roof - from council tax to National Insurance - the last thing Guildford needs is even higher taxation on businesses and hard-working people.

Cllr Sheridan Westlake