Local authorities in seven areas across the country will share over £7 million to explore ways to tackle local congestion as a further step towards national road pricing.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling announced this week that the authorities successfully bid for money from an £18m fund set up to support the development of transport schemes to tackle local congestion and public transport.

Last year, the Government's road pricing feasibility study recommended that local or regional schemes should be piloted to test approaches as road pricing is further developed.

The seven areas are:

Bristol City Council, Bath and North East Council, North Somerset Council and South Gloucestershire Council

Cambridgeshire

Durham County Council (for Durham City)

Greater Manchester

Shropshire County Council (for Shrewsbury)

Tyne and Wear

West Midlands conurbation