The bill which would permit local authorities to create pilot road charging schemes should be subject to a public vote, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said today.

Steve Collie, FSB transport chairman, explained that without a public vote and popular approval, road charging "is completely illegitimate".

He pointed out that road tolls could negatively affect the UK economy and job situation, as many small businesses will be financially impacted.

"Small businesses cannot make deliveries or take heavy tools and equipment on the bus," he said.

"Nor, given their tight profit margins and heavy competition from larger firms, can they absorb the costs or pass them on to their customers."

The government should rethink its plans for a toll and focus more resources on improving the transit system, he added.

Approximately 1.8 million people have signed a petition on the House of Commons website opposing road charging, the Guardian reports.