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More on weights

9th February 1985
Page 7
Page 7, 9th February 1985 — More on weights
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A TIMETABLE for the complete abolition of the quota system and introduction of 40-tonne lorries in Britain is under discussion in Brussels after EEC transport ministers achieved a partial breakthrough before Christmas by deciding to double the number of permits over five years.

A group of senior EEC and national civil servants hopes that a set of regulations can be adopted by the end of next year with the total liberalisation of road transport being implemented between 1990-95.

Britain and the Netherlands want the process speeded up: they would like to see the regulation approved by the end of this year and quotas totally abolished by 1990.

But certain differences must be resolved first. West Ger many insisted that the regulations include an agreement on the approximation of road taxes and measures to encourage railways to compete with international road hauliers.

Belgium and the Netherlands feel that the regulation should be accompanied by measures to lift restrictions on traffic through EEC ports.

Quotas, however, are only part of an ambitious programme being drafted by a group of civil servants with a view to implementing a common transport policy.

After the agreement on the 40 tonne lorry before Christmas, consideration is now being given in Brussels to the conditions by which Britain and Ireland will fall into line with the rest of the community.

There are hopes that Britain can be persuaded to end the exemption in 1990-95 in return for generous EEC infrastructure aid and an end to the quota.

Also on the agenda this year is a second directive relating to axle loads for vehicles with five or six axles and weight standards for vehicles with two, three or four axles.

Moves towards the abolition of motorway tolls are also taking place.

But proposals to scrap all totals by 2010 have upset the French who are claiming that tolls which ensure road users rather than taxpayers foot the bill are "logical and just".

• Newly-appointed EEC Transport Commissioner Stanley Clinton Davis said last month that he would give the question of lorry weights "very close attention" in the coming months.

Labour MEP Bob Cryer (Labour, Sheffield) raised the question of increasing lorry weights from 38 to 40 tonnes, saying that it would be ironic, if, in Road Safety Year, bigger lorries were permitted in the Community, subject only to a temporary derogation in Britain.

The Commissioner said although the matter would be receiving close consideration, it would be wrong of him to give a "spur of the moment, definitive reply".


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