The Government is considering turning one lane of any widened carriageway, as well as stretches of hard shoulder on congested motorways, into special fast lanes.

It could mean motorists driving on the M27 between Portsmouth and Southampton, paying £5 to use the toll lane to cruise past stationary traffic.

The M27 has been identified as one of six congestion hotspots across England, by the Department for Transport. The M3 near Southampton is also earmarked for the scheme.

Ministers are now due to sign contracts for technology trials to begin next year on the new lanes. Groups of up to 200 volunteer drivers will act as guinea pigs in the trials.

But the plans have been met with fury as many feel motorists already pay enough to use the roads and only the rich will be able to use these special fast lanes.

The leader of Fareham Borough Council, Councillor Sean Woodward, is also outraged at the idea.

He said: 'I think it's scandalous. There's not enough space to have a rich person's lane. As if drivers aren't paying enough to use the roads anyway.

'I really hope the government has not done this whole lane widening thing along the M27 as a cover up stealth tax. They sold it as a new crawler lane for lorries and now it might be used to try and create different classes of driver. It's outrageous.'

And motorist Kelly Fryer, 20, of Devonshire Way, Fareham, said: 'Don't we pay enough to use the roads already, what with road tax and petrol? It's ridiculous the government thinking of doing this.

'Not everyone would be able to afford to use the toll lanes either, so how is that fair with only those better off getting a preferential service while the rest of us sit in traffic?'

A Department for Transport spokesman said no decision on toll lanes had been taken and would only be introduced following a full public consultation.