AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Have it and eat it

28th February 2002
Page 9
Page 9, 28th February 2002 — Have it and eat it
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Truck operators who never deliver into central London will probably greet the news of congestion charging within the capital in the manner of the famous headline: "Small earthquake in Chile—not many hurt". It's questionable how many operators will ultimately be affected by Mayor Ken's proposal. BUT the number of trucks delivering into central London is certainly significant, and having to fork out £5 per visit will do nothing for their owners' bank balances. HGVs won't be exempt, which suggests a "having your cake and eating it" attitude. After all, town planners and local authorities can't oppose the development of out-of town megastores which can easily be served by trucks on the one hand, and then, on the other, insist that city centres should not be allowed to

decline...while charging operators to deliver vital goods into them. It now looks like a done deal, so we need to know a lot more detail. What, for example, qualifies as an "alternative fuelled" vehicle. Gas? Electric? Both? And will low-emission Euro-4 trucks get a look in when it comes to future exemptions? As we said, those hauliers who never deliver into London will no doubt see our story as yet another example of the media's obsession with the Capital and the South-East. They shouldn't. What London does today, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool could well do tomorrow...now do we have everyone's full attention?

Tags

People: Ken

comments powered by Disqus