Swiss roll into action
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LINES of waiting lorries stretched for 12 miles when drivers blocked all Swiss frontier posts for 12 hours last week in protest over the introduction of the special tax for using the roads.
More than 5,000 Swiss and French lorries parked sideways in front of the border posts and only cars were able to pass in most places.
Swiss hauliers protested loudest because neighbouring countries are taking counter measures and levying charges on Swiss commercial vehicles.
From April 1, for example, they will have to pay DM58 (about £16) per vehicle before they are allowed on German roads.
"When that happens we may as well scrap our lorries — we'll be out of business", said driver Willi Rack who organised the blockade at the West GermanSwiss frontier post near Basle.
Police took the numbers of the lorries involved in the blockade and charges will be brought.
The blockade was organised by an unofficial committee of Swiss drivers and hauliers. They called if off to "prevent further damage to trade and industry".
But Astag, the Swiss road transport organisation, has distanced itself from the "militants", who they say are threatening its talks with the Swiss Government.
Astag wants the Government to reimburse its members for taxes levied on them abroad as reprisals for the road usage charge which came into force on January 1.