EU plans cost harmonisation
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Rob Willock
• Europe issued its own Transport White Paper last week, paving the way for European road charges for hauliers but promising a more level playing field for UK operators.
The EC's policy document, Fair Payment for Infrastructure use in the EU, proposes a "gradual harmonisation of charging principles in commercial transport...based on the 'user pays' system". Charges such as road tolls will be collected by member states following EU guidelines.
From now until 2000, railways and airports would be the first modes to have such charging systems introduced. From 2001 to 2004 road haulage would face a kilometre-based charging system, alongside charges for the use of ports. The White Paper says: "While some charges paid by users would rise, the overall costs of transport would fall significantly."
But road haulage is widely tipped to be the loser. The EC admits: "The cost of putting an extra lorry on an alreadycrowded motorway may in practice be very high, while the cost of an extra carriage on a train may be almost zero."
At least the charging framework would be consistent across the EU. The White Paper recognises that current variations result in "road hauliers from different member states facing vastly different costs and unfair competition". It singles out VED and diesel duty variations as being two of the least consistent charges.
However, for all its intent, the EC's influence is limited. Legislation would only be able to provide a charging framework— member states would be free to set their own charging levels.