Congestion charges are set to be firmly back on the agenda for drivers in some of our main centres.

It's been revealed the government is working with Tauranga, Auckland and other councils to come up with a national approach to charging drivers to use roads in and out of cites at peak times.

The plan was disclosed at a Tauranga City Council meeting on Monday where the city's own controversial road pricing idea to combat congestion was scrapped due to the public backlash.

Council commissioner Stephen Sellwood says Tauranga desperately needs to look at alternative ways to fund its roading network.

Sellwood spoke to Charlotte Cook.