BUSINESS drivers face another substantial rise in commuting expenses from September when the Government could be forced by Brussels to impose VAT on road tunnel and bridge toll charges. The extra tax is threatened under a European Union ruling which is expected to be upheld by the European Court of Justice.

At a stroke the directive will add 17.5% to charges at all major toll points such as the Severn and Humber bridges and the Dartford Crossing. There is also the strong likelihood that Britain, said to be in breach of the EU's VAT directive, will be obliged to back-date the tax for four years. This will present the Government with a legal conundrum as British law prohibits an increase in bridge tolls by more than the rate of inflation.