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AA head Waiter denies
Page 13
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uote was "anti-truck"
• The AA has moved to head off a potential row with the haulage industry after one of its officials was quoted in a national newspaper seemingly making "antitruck" comments.
Paul Wafter, head of roads and transport policy at the AA, claims he was misinterpreted following his negative comments on trucks using the new M6 Toll road. During an interview in The Times on 8 August, he said that car drivers find trucks intimidating and they [trucks] frequently hold up traffic on motorways when overtaking each other. He adds: "Their speed limiters mean they can remain two abreast for a long time. Also, lorries cause far more damage to roads, so it is right that they pay more."
Trucks will be charged E10 to use the new road, compared with £2 for cars, something that has outraged the industry (CM 7-13 August).
But, speaking to CM, Wafter said: "I feel I've been misrepresented regarding these comments. I was simply stating that since HOVs are planning not to use the M6 Toll due to the charge, it leaves the road less congested. It is not the policy of the AA to have an opinion on this."
He also admitted that the charge to trucks was excessive: "It is possible that the charge is a bit high. If you look at the London [congestion charging] scheme, cars and trucks are charged the same price."
A spokesman from the Freight Transport Association said: "Considering all the other problems truck drivers face, the comments are a little disappointing."