NEW calls for a motorists' charter have been made by the AA and RAC in return for the higher taxes they are paying to use the country's roads. The motoring organisations have demanded a charter of rights for road users and a regulator to enforce them, similar to those for the rail operators and the utilities.

They have both issued their own recommendations for what motorists need, including a consistent level of performance from the road network. Other suggestions include charging utilities lane rental for works on the public highways. The organisations also want to ensure any initiatives brought in under the Government's white paper on integrated transport are done without disrupting motorists.

John Dawson, AA policy director, said: 'We want to see our motorists' charter built into the Government's plans for future transport development.' Jeremy Vanke-Reynolds, RAC head of public policy, said: 'Discussions about the integrated transport white paper have focused on how to reduce car use and charge motorists more to use the roads. The RAC is calling for a motorists' charter, with minimum standards and certain rights guaranteed by the Government and enforced by an independent regulator.'