Businesses in Oxfordshire are willing to consider road pricing as a way of providing "a transport system fit for the 21st century."

The Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce believes the controversial proposal could be the answer to the growing problems of congestion on the roads and with public transport.

But leaders also want a cut in other forms of tax to offset any proposed increase.

Claire Prosser, policy executive at the Chamber, said: "Businesses in the county are willing to look at road pricing, if it will provide funding to improve the current condition of the transport infrastructure.

"The current transport infrastructure is failing business. But it's not just roads we need to see improved. Our public transport system needs increased investment and improvement across the board if the Government wants to encourage more people to rely on it.

"Our members, a diverse mix of sole traders to multi-national plcs, have had enough and want a transport system fit for the 21st century."

A recent survey by the British Chambers of Commerce found 87 per cent of businesses are in favour of some form of road user charging.

This is on the condition that any money raised must be offset by a reduction in other forms of tax such as fuel duty and road tax and that any money raised from the charge will be ring fenced towards improving transport infrastructure.

Ms Prosser added: "We need to make sure that if road pricing is introduced, businesses will see clear and tangible benefits from what they are paying.

"To gain support the Government needs to make sure that any proposals on road pricing must not be just an extra tax but form part of a thorough, strategic plan to improve the future of transport in the UK."