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A simple plan

19th June 2008, Page 3
19th June 2008
Page 3
Page 3, 19th June 2008 — A simple plan
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

With fuel prices spiralling and the threat of cheap foreign competition becoming even more of an issue in light of the decisions made in Europe about cabotage last week, its interesting to see that the Government is being urged to reconsider the Lorry Road User Charge (LRUC).

And it's not as if this suggestion has come from the industry. Instead, it's come from the independent House of Commons Transport Committee.

The LRUC was abandoned because it was complicated and expensive, and all vehicles would be included in road pricing in the near future anyway.

But we're now three years down the line, and national road pricing still appears to be quite a way off. There is very little public appetite for road pricing, as the petition on the Downing Street website 16 months ago showed so graphically. And the Government's approach seems to be in favour of local schemes rather than a single alt-encompassing charge.

And therein lies the problem, according to the Transport Committee. As a result it suggests the Department for Transport should go back to the drawing board and not only revive the LRUC, but also reassess its entire road pricing strategy.

From an industry perspective, anything that will level the playing field with foreign hauliers has got to be a good thing, but if it was too complicated and expensive two and half years ago, what is there to suggest that things would be different now?

If the Government does go back to basics and look at the LRUC again, it must find a simple way of implementing it, because the last thing the road haulage industry needs is yet more red tape and expense. Rather, it needs a simple but effective way of competing with its European counterparts when, and if, the current restrictions on cabotage are lifted. Roanna Avison


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