The Forum of Private Business (FPB) said English cities should follow the example of Scotland, where there was a vote on the issue in Edinburgh. The proposal was thrown out.

A spokeswoman said the organisation was particularly concerned about the effects such congestion charges would have on small, independent traders - both those delivering to city centre stores and small shops that may lose custom because shoppers went elsewhere to avoid being charged.

A survey of FPB members revealed that 70% opposed road charging.