Foreign lorry charge must bring tangible benefits, says FTA25 May 2010

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) says it welcomes government proposals to introduce a tax on foreign lorries, but insists that, for a lorry road user charging scheme (LRUC) to be worthwhile, it must bring benefits to UK commercial vehicle operators.

Says Malcolm Bingham, the the transport trade body's head of road network management policy: "Foreign lorries make a considerable impact on UK roads, which has so far gone unpaid. This is in stark contrast to the rest of Europe, where road pricing is evident in the majority of member states."

And he adds: "To compound this inequality, foreign trucks tend to fill up with diesel bought outside the UK, where fuel duty is far lower, putting domestic companies at a greater commercial disadvantage. So, in principle, lorry road user charging will help to level this rather uneven playing field."

An LRUC scheme would be levied at the same amount for all lorry drivers, foreign and domestic, so Bingham says it is important that the scheme is revenue neutral compared to current levels, which can be achieved either through lowering fuel duty or vehicle excise duty.

"As well as bringing fairness to commercial road users, the LRUC must also bring clear tangible benefits to transport operators, meaning that all revenues generated are ploughed back into maintaining and improving the road network," states Bingham.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Freight Transport Association Ltd

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