The government has been accused of sending mixed messages over road pricing.

In his Budget speech yesterday, the chancellor Alistair Darling said he would set aside funding to explore the use of road charging technology.

However, earlier this month the transport secretary Ruth Kelly said public opposition to road pricing had put the policy on the backburner.

"Why is Darling wasting money on a scheme that the DfT [Department of Transport] are supposed to have abandoned?," said ABD spokesman Nigel Humphries.

"Has nobody told the Treasury or was Ruth Kelly's announcement just cynical spin to defuse opposition?"

Ms Kelly announced recently that the hard shoulder scheme on the M42 near Birmingham would be extended and that local authorities would receive grants to explore local congestion-busting initiatives.

In the Budget yesterday, Mr Darling delayed an increase in fuel duty that was due to take effect next month until October.

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