Why do our roads rely on EEC cash?
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MEMBERS of the European Parliament's transport committee have been told that Britain's national road plans are threatened by cuts in financial support from EEC Budget rebates. Jeffrey Rose, chairman of the RAC, pointed out that Britain had depended greatly on these rebates for transport purposes.
Of nearly £350 million received in 1980 and 1981, about £270 million had been spent on roads in each year. Last year, however, only some £110 million was allocated to transport expenditure and a mere £70 million had been spent on roads.
I find this situation baffling. Why, when vehicle owners are already paying in special taxation far more than is spent on the roads and taxation rates increases steeply every year, should Britain have to rely on handouts from the EEC for road building and maintenance?
The RHA is driving the point home with stickers for stationery and (much larger and laminated) for vehicles, which emphasise the point.