The Brussels-Capital Region commissioned the study to find out how high the daily price of a toll to travel on the capital’s roads would need to be in order to reduce traffic and consequently pollution from motor vehicle exhausts. Stratec came up with a figure of 12 euro a day.

The Brussels Regional Secretary of State responsible for Transport Bruno De Lille (Flemish green) says that there can be no question of a daily toll charge of more than 6 euro being imposed.

Mr De Lille told journalists that "The toll levels proposed would have the same effect as firing a cannon to shoot a mosquito. We don’t need to impose such high tolls to achieve our transport goals in the Brussels-Capital Region. Don’t forget that the number of car journeys is already down by 7%”.

Meanwhile, the Brussels City Alderwoman responsible for transport Els Ampe (Flemish liberal,photo) has already said that a 12 euro/day toll is unacceptable for her party. Ms Ampe is also the Flemish Liberals’ group leader in the Brussels Region Parliament.

"Making people pay 12 euro a day to reach to our country’s economic epicentre is downright antisocial”, Ms Ampe said. The liberal politician is in favour of a big expansion of the Brussels metro.

The study and a second study on road toll charging will be put before the Brussels Regional Parliament, the capital’s 19 municipal authorities and groups representing economic interests before the Brussels Regional Government make a decision.