Councils could soon be introducing road toll charges, if Bills announced in the Queen's Speech become law. Last week's speech set out the Government's legislative programme of 22 Bills, four draft Bills and three carried-over Bills, which will all go before Parliament in the coming year. Many of the proposed laws will affect councils, including the local government Bill, the criminal justice Bill, and the road transport Bill. The road transport Bill could lead to councils being able to introduce toll road schemes and being given greater control over the quality of bus services. The Local Government Association's transport and regeneration board chairman, Cllr David Sparks said councils needed extra powers to tackle traffic problems. 'Road charging is a potential solution to the congestion that affects so many of our towns and cities,' he said. The New Local Government Network (NLGN) also welcomed the road transport Bill. 'We hope the legislation will also take a strongly devolutionist approach,' a spokesman said. The Government also announced that a White Paper on planning reform would be published in spring, based on the forthcoming Barker and Eddington reviews. Councils could also be given the power to make the parents of problem children attend compulsory parenting courses under the criminal justice Bill. London mayor Ken Livingstone welcomed the announcement of more housing and planning powers being devolved to his office. But London Councils chairman Merrick Cockell commented: 'At the very least, these proposals will cause delays to the capital's planning process at a time when the Government wishes to see it streamlined.'
