THE battle over how to fund Guernsey’s road transport strategy continues today after the States rejected Environment’s proposals for a £26 annual flat charge to park.

While members accepted an amendment to put 1.2p per litre on fuel, that could still be superseded by paid parking, with signs that some members voted tactically yesterday.

The duty increase, suggested by Deputy Al Brouard, went through by 24 votes to 22, but at least two deputies who voted for it are known to support paid parking.

However, it remained unclear at the end of debate yesterday whether all those who rejected hitting petrol would back paid parking instead.

In another twist, Environment members all voted in favour of the fuel duty rise that put paid to the department’s own proposal.

Minister Peter Sirett said it had to be realistic.

‘We knew there was a very strong feeling for Deputy Brouard’s idea, it nearly got through last time,’ said Deputy Sirett.

‘It was suggested by a lot of people as a good alternative. The only thing that prevented us from bringing it forward was that we were trying to be behave corporately. The rules say we couldn’t seek to put money onto fuel and allocate it to our transport strategy.’