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German charge checked out by EC
Page 8
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E by Guy Sheppard
Germany's controversial new HGV roaduser charge is to be investigated by the European Commission following widespread protests that it will discriminate against foreign hauliers.
Under the scheme, to be introduced at the end of August, hauliers will be charged around 14p/mile instead of the Current time-based charging system.
Mike Freeman, head of international affairs for the Road Haulage Association, believes the Germans plan to compensate hauliers for the increased financial burden by cutting vehicle excise duty on German vehicles.
"It is discriminatory, because it can't apply to foreign vehicles," He adds that it is unbelievable that the EC has waited until the last minute to announce the investigation.
The Freight Transport Association's chief executiw Richard Turner also welcomes the investigation.
"The compensation system itself must be transparent, easy to administer and have a clearly defined, prompt method of payment to at vehicle operators— arid not just German companies."
Both the ETA and the RHA predict chaos when the charge is introduced.
They claim a lack of on-board payment units for international hauliers will lead to huge tailbacks and delays at toll booths as drivers wait to pay manually.
The RHA adds that there is, as yet, no list of companies who will fit on-board payment units in the UK, although there is in some other European countries.
"There is also a complicated time limit that requires re-registration if the average speed over the planned route drops to less than 30km/h for whatever reason," the RHA warns in Its latest international bulletin.
• See webslte: wwwIWI-collect,de • Austria is set to introduce a roadcharging system next January, adding to confusion about tolls within Europe.
According to the RHA's Mike Freeman, the Austrian arrangement will be corn
pletely different to and incompatible with the German system.
Freeman adds that the Austrians are pushing ahead with the scheme: "We have only just received the first information on it, but we're hoping to arrange a meeting in the UK between RHA members and the organisation running the scheme."