The pay-as-you-go congestion charging scheme in Shrewsbury seems certain to go ahead despite more than a million people objecting to the principle of road pricing, Downing Street revealed today.

More than 1.1 million people have signed a petition posted by Telford businessman Peter Roberts on the Downing Street website opposing pay-as-you-drive motoring.

The Government welcomed the “lively debate” on the issue.

But Tony Blair’s official spokesman said: “The livelier the debate the better, but debate in itself does not produce policy.

“The crucial point is that doing nothing is not an option. If we do nothing, congestion will get worse and worse.”

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said pilot schemes such as the one being considered for Shrewsbury with the support of the Government aimed to find out the facts.

“We learn from the experience of that and then decide where we go. We educate ourselves in government, and hopefully also educate the public as well.

“The way to get practical experience is to have pilot schemes,” the spokesman added.

Earlier Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander a national pay-as-you-go road pricing scheme in Britain could not go ahead without the support of the public. “Unless motorists and families can see the benefits of bringing in a national road pricing system then it simply won’t happen,” he said.

But he qualified his comments later when he insisted an e-mail accompanying the petition was full of myths about the Government’s proposals. “We need to recognise in this country that we don’t have a choice but to deal with the growing problem of congestion,” said the transport secretary.

Former transport minister John Spellar said the balance of argument came down against road user charging, and he pointed to “very real problems that have to be addressed about affordability to individuals and about whether it’s a tax on work”.

The Labour MP said measures to reduce congestion without bringing in road charging included introducing flexible working and school hours.

See also: Petition driver plans meeting