Our major road system after decades of neglect suffers from severe congestion.Under road charging plans being pushed by the government congested roads will becharged the most. It therefore inevitably follows that drivers will seekto avoid these charges by taking alternative routes along country lanes and throughsmaller towns and villages.

The ABD warns rural communities and vulnerable road users such as walkers, cyclistsand horse riders to speak out now against road charging proposals before these plansare forced through.

ABD policy director Mark McArthur-Christie explained: "Road charging will be leviedat its highest on the most congested roads. It will be impossible for driversto know if a road is congested until they are on it, sitting in a traffic jam withno escape route whilst the black box in their car clocks up pound signs for the chancellor.

Many will not wish to take the risk and will of course seek alternative routes.Unfortunately for villagers and users of quiet country lanes, these will very oftenbe the routes they seek out causing a massive increase in traffic levels."

The ABD urges members of rural communities who may be affected to join the 650,000who have already signed the petition against road charging at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/traveltax/