Belfast motorists face congestion charge

Motorists in Belfast city centre could face a congestion charge in a bid to cut down road usage, it emerged today.

The British government confirmed it has been exploring the possibility of a charge and also road tolls in Northern Ireland through a national steering group chaired by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling.

However the move was denounced by the SDLP, whose regional development spokesperson Margaret Ritchie said a congestion charge would be another tax on the people of Northern Ireland.

Details of the plan emerged in a speech on the economic challenges facing the North by the Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain to the Fabian Society.