Network of new super toll roads proposed by Birt

French-style motorway toll roads are being proposed by John Birt, the former BBC director general, as the long-term solution to Britain's chronic traffic congestion.

Lord Birt, who is now the Prime Minister's special adviser on transport, is proposing new "premium" roads alongside existing motorways.

There is no money for any new toll roads in the Government's ten-year transport plan, but the privately-financed Birmingham relief road alongside the congested M6 could become a test-case for similar projects.

Government plans to streamline planning inquiries could make it easier to get planning permission.

Lord Birt's paper has yet to be handed to Mr Blair, but leaks of the document may have been used to force the issue onto the agenda of the Secretary of State for Transport, Stephen Byers.

Mr Birt's proposals will be greeted with dismay by Transport ministers who are struggling to persuade the public that more motorways are not the answer.

Downing Street last night confirmed that Lord Birt was engaged in "clear skies" thinking on motorway congestion.

"There are no plans to build super highways. Lord Birt is engaged in long-term thinking, but we have no plans for particular schemes," said a spokesman.

Until 2011, ministers are focusing on more mundane traffic-management schemes to ease congestion on the country's motorways, such as variable speed limits.