FTA's 40-tonne salvo
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• The Freight Transport Association has fired the first tentative shots in its latest campaign for the adoption of 40 tonnes in the UK with the publication of its own election manifesto entitled Freight Transport and the next Government.
The VIA "strategy for efficient transport", which includes fresh demands for a reduction in the amount of fuel tax and VED paid by British hauliers, is being sent to every parliamentary candidate and will also be distributed to ETA divisional committee members to use when lobbying local candidates.
ETA director general Garry Turvey says that while road transport "might not be as 'sexy' as some election topics, it is absolutely vital to our economic well-being — and that is the message we are spelling out."
The manifesto states that while management carries the major responsibility in the drive for success, it cannot work alone. "Government needs to take urgent steps to remove the excessive tax burden in the UK where diesel duty is 70% higher than the community average, and where VED is 14 times higher than in Italy."
It also calls upon the next government to "bring British industry into line with the rest of Europe by allowing the introduction of the 40-tonne lorry."
Following 11 June, the ETA is expected to start lobbying hard for 40 tonnes, establishing links with MPs who sympathise with road transport.
The pre-election broadsheet warns that efficient transport "cannot be achieved without a good well-maintained infrastructure", and call li for more investment in roads, particularly to ports and industrial centres "and to bypass congested towns and environmentally sensitive villages."
The continued collection of tolls on certain crossings such as the Dartford Tunnel also comes under fire.
"The continued pretence that the Dartford crossing is not part of the M25 is absolute nonsense," says Turvey. "Having spent over £1,000 million on 99% of London's bypasses, the Government's decision not to accept responsibility for this one stretch is both disappointing and illogical, as is the decision to continue tolls."
In its parting shot, the ETA reminds the next Government "that industry pays i1.1 billion annually in vehicle taxes over and above the costs of goods vehicles for the construction and upkeep of roads."