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Tr P TRAFFIC STRATEGY • •
Page 10
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Strategy document pushes • , for vignette' pricing system
By Chris Tindall
A VIGNETTE pricing system in eastern England should be considered as a way to improve efficiency of haulage movements, according to a recently published regional freight strategy.
The release of the 245-page document by the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) into how freight in the region should be managed also highlights concerns about the increasing impact that freight traffic is having within urban areas.
The strategy document says that freight flowing in and out of the region will continue to increase by about 8% above current levels by 2031, and is unlikely to be accommodated by just expanding the region's rail freight capacity.
It adds that by 2021 -important stretches of the highway network, from a freight perspective, will be severely congested or operating in excess of capacity".
It suggests the implementation of active management systems across the road network, the development of preferred lorry routes, the use of consolidation centres and the provision of secure HGV parking facilities The report adds: "Further investigation of 'vignette' pricing mechanisms should be carried out in collaboration with central Government and other partners as part of the development and updating of the Regional Transport Strategy... with a revenue-neutral reduction in vehicle excise duty" Councillor Derrick Ashley, EERA chairman of the planning panel, reveals that it wants to see pressure taken off the roads.
He continues: "This requires the Government to invest more in the region's rail network, including improvements to the rail line between Felixstowe and the West Midlands, which is vital to reduce pressure on the A14."
• For more on the problems that are blighting the A14 and surrounding area, turn to page 26.