Specialist transport news
22/02/2012
Tax mooted for hauliers
The world of specialist transport has offered a mixed response to news that the government is planning to charge lorry drivers a fee for the privilege of being able to use certain roads.
However, the new fee is not designed to punish British specialist transport companies, they will be able to claim the £10 fee back against road tax. Instead, the proposal is designed to encourage foreign hauliers to contribute to the upkeep of British roads.
In fact, the move would not be that radical – it would only bring Britain in line with most European countries, which already charge HGV drivers for using their roads. The Department for Transport says that the moves would help "level the playing field with foreign hauliers, boosting their market share and increasing employment and promoting growth in the UK".
The Road Haulage Association was unequivocal in welcoming the proposals, saying that it would be good news for British specialist as well as other motorists, "many of whom have complained that foreign hauliers pay nothing for using our roads".
Mike Penning, the road safety minister, commented, "Each year there are around 1.5m trips to the UK by foreign registered lorries – but none of them pay to use our roads, leaving UK businesses and taxpayers to foot the bill.
"A lorry road user charge would ensure that all hauliers who use our roads are contributing to their cost, regardless of where they are from – helping UK hauliers to get a fairer deal and increasing employment and promoting growth in the UK."
