Tory deal for transport
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by Melanie Hammond The Conservative Party has unveiled its new transport policy, Fair Deal for Motorists, including a raft of new measures for hauliers and a pledge to end the fuel duty escalator.
Accusing the Government of "wrecking road haulage", Shadow Transport Minister Bernard Jenkin described the document as a "great relief to the haulage industry". Speaking at the launch, he and shadow Transport Secretary John Redwood outlined 10 commitments to the motorist. In addition to the promise of Inflation-only increases to fuel duty, the Tories promised to challenge the Government to commission a "full and fair inquiry into the competitiveness of the UK haulage industry". Other plans to stem the loss of haulage contracts to foreign firms include the introduction of the BRIT (British Road Infrastructure Toll) disc which would charge foreign trucks for using Britain's roads. They also pledged to reduce "unfair vehicle excise duties on British trucks". Jenkin and Redwood attacked Labour's plans for motorway congestion and parking taxes to which, with some exceptions, the Tories claim to be opposed. A Conservative government would also impose a minimum speed limit on motorways while increasing the motorway speed limit from TOmph to 80mph, Jenkin added that income from the privatisation of the London Underground would be invested in an "improved road network", and road congestion would be eased by the imposition of penalties on contractors causing excessive delays by their roadworks.