FEARS that motoring and administration costs for the business driving community will increase under government congestion charging plans have been expressed by Hampshire-based ACFO, the Association of Car Fleet Operators.

While broadly in favour of government measures to ease traffic congestion, Petersfield-based ACFO, the UK's leading organisation representing car and van fleet operators, says Transport Secretary Alistair Darling must focus on 'business reality' and not let the views of academics hold sway.

ACFO also says that just because it can be easily targeted, the fleet community must not bear the brunt of the huge infrastructure costs of establishing the nationwide pay-as-you-drive plan promoted by Mr Darling this week and first outlined in the 'Road Pricing Feasibility Study' report to the Transport Secretary published in July last year.

ACFO represents more than 800 fleet operators who are collectively responsible for running more than 650,000 vehicles. Director Stewart Whyte said: "ACFO generally welcomes this latest government acknowledgement that radical action must be taken to beat traffic gridlock.

"But, it is vital that Mr Darling and his colleagues listen very carefully to the views of the fleet community.

"The fleet and business communities buy the majority of new cars and vans in the UK and typically drive higher mileages than private motorists. Therefore, the businesses which we represent must play a huge role in the discussion going forward."

The government's plans for congestion charging at rates varying from 2.5p to £1.34 per mile would result in a reduction or possible axing of Vehicle Excise Duty and fuel duty.

Mr Whyte said: "While the government says congestion charging will be revenue neutral there are bound to be winners and losers.

"ACFO fears that fleets will almost certainly be worse off as a result of both the tax change and the rise in admin costs."

He added: "Dealing with the revised expenses claims from drivers will have a massive impact on the administration costs of all companies who rely on staff to drive, particularly in respect of employees who currently claim business mileage. Checking individual drivers' direct debits will be time-consuming in the extreme."

Although any congestion charging plan could be up to 15 years away Mr Whyte warned: "Establishing such a scheme will cost hundreds of millions of pounds in infrastructure and software developments.

"We already have thousands of uninsured cars on the roads, as well as those who don't have a driving licence.

"How does the government intend to make these people pay as they drive?"