NO WEIGHTING
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The Freight Transport Association was delighted by John Prescott's announcement in his 10-year transport plan that
44 tonnes would be confirmed for general use from 1 February 2001. However, we were a little surprised by Commercial Motor's "Why are we weightingP" leader column (CM 27 July2 August) complaining that no rate of VED had been advised.
In fact Chancellor Gordon Brown did announce a VED rate of £2,950 in his March 2000 Budget ( CM30 March-5 April) so operators have the data they need to make decisions.
The ETA has been at the heart of the 44-tonne campaign for more than 20 years, during which time we've had plenty of the "now you see it—now you don't" type of good news and bad news.
But now the news is positively good. Just to confirm, following the necessary obligatory consultation with the EU, 44-tonne vehicles, on six axles, with Euro-2 engines, will be introduced for general use from 1February 2001.
The Government has also said that the existing concessionary VED rate of £1,280 for 44-tonne lorries engaged solely in combined road/rail operations will be retained until the end of 2003 (44-tonners on six axles with a 10.5-tonne axle weight and road friendly suspension have been permitted for combined road/rail operations since 1994).
The current C&U regulations permitting these vehicles do not require them to have Euro-2 engines and these regulations will also be retained until the end of 2003.
Geoff Dossetter, Head of External Affairs, Freight Transport Association.
• Our thanks to the FTA for putting the record straight— it's a fair cop! CM's apologies for any confusion caused by the error, which was based on incorrect information from a DOT spokesman—Ed.