TRTA CONCERN AT PROSPECTS OF ROAD PRICING
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APRELIMINARY study of road pricing or congestion tax was made by the highways and traffic committee of the Traders Road Transport Association last week and, although no final conclusions were reached, concern was expressed at the effects of such tax if it extended to commercial vehicles, in terms of inevitable increases in the cost of goods.
It was recognized that one of the objectives of such a system would be to discourage peak-hour transport and that lower rates of tax would be applied to off-peak deliveries, but the committee felt that the scope in this direction was limited and that the bulk of goods entering city centres would rise in price.
On transport training, the TRTA has pursued with the Ministry of Labour its views that the transport staff of C-licensed firms should be included so far as possible within a road transport training board rather than being left with individual industrial training boards. The discussions have shown that there are administrative difficulties in this, but the Association, has nevertheless held to its view that it would be wrong in principle for the major sector of commercial goods transport to be excluded from the road transport training board.
The TRTA also reports that the Ministry of Housing has accepted the need for more emphasis to be placed on the provision of off-street loading facilities in new development and redevelopment schemes. Discussions between the Ministry and the Association may lead to the formulation of guidance to local authorities on the criteria governing this aspect of town planning.