RHA launches plan for a UK vignette
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by Brian Weatherley • In a bid to provide a more level playing field for British hauliers the Road Haulage Association is to push for the introduction of a "UK vignette" to be bought by all hauliers using Britain's roads but offset against UK operators' annual vehicle excise duty.
Under the scheme, which will be presented by the RHA to Chancellor Gordon Brown ahead of his Autumn Budget, a UK vignette would have to be purchased by domestic operators as well as by foreign HGV drivers entering the UK. But RHA director-general Steven Norris says that British operators would then get an equivalent reduction in their VED.
"I see a justification for asking the British Government as to whether we shouldn't have the same kind of charging system for trucks on our roads as they do on the Continent—as well as UK trucks compensated for it by an equal reduction in the amount of VED they're required to pay," says Norris. "It wouldn't cost the Treasury a penny. They would make some extra money and it would equalise competitive costs between the UK and foreign industry." The association will also be asking the Chancellor to review the level of diesel duty paid by hauliers, although Norris insists: "I'm not talking about dispensation. I'm talking about a recognition of the essential nature of what we do, and we'll be working up some proposals on that basis."
Colin Young, managing director of international operator Cranleigh equalise costs." Freight Services, says he is "right behind" the RHA plan: "About time too—this is well overdue. At the moment UK hauliers are having to pay for the privilege of using foreign roads but the opposite isn't true." Norris: "It would Young believes a UK vignette would level the playing field for UK hauliers working in the rest of Europe.
E Look out for an interview with the RHA's new director-general in CM 28 August-3 September.