EC haulage cost threat
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• European transport commissioner Karel van Miert has warned that hauliers may have to pay more for the damage their trucks do to the environment.
The European Commission has published a green paper which forecasts a 42% rise in road haulage by the year 2010.
"Such an increase would be too much for Europe's road network and would lead to major congestion problems unless action is taken," says van Miert.
However, UK hauliers will do better than most if the commissioner's plans to harmonise vehicle taxes are implemented. At present every EC country except Germany imposes much less VED than Britain, Other solutions being suggested include an energy tax which will raise the price of fuel, and financial incentives to make rail, water and combined transport more attractive.
Detailed proposals will be made in an EC white paper this summer but the EC Council of Ministers will discuss road costs on 26 March.
The Commission says the debate on the green paper will provide an insight into how transport can "fulfill its economic and social functions while limiting the negative effects on the environment".