There is growing support in the Netherlands for some form of road pricing, through which motorists pay a tax on every kilometre they drive, according to research carried out on behalf of the Volkskrant.

Road pricing is seen by supporters as an important way to cut traffic congestion, particularly during rush hour.

Some 58% of people now support the introduction of road pricing, compared with 53% in 2016, the Volkskrant said.

In particular, there is support for a flat rate tax which means motorists would pay a tax on all kilometres driven over a certain limit. A specific rush hour tax is the least popular option.

Some two-thirds of the working Dutch travel by car to work but three in 10 said in the survey they expected to change their driving habits if road pricing is introduced.

The current coalition has no plans to introduce road pricing but the Volkskrant said the idea is being looked into at different government ministries.

In 2009 the then transport minister Camiel Eurlings dropped plans to introduce road pricing from 2011 because it would be too complex and would cost too much to run.