Kinnock wants UK
Page 7
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ON YOUR MARKS,
in vignette scheme I GET SET...
by Miles Brignall • Britain should join the Eurovignette scheme that charges hauliers to use motorways in five European countries, says European Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock.
He adds that UK hauliers could be given a corresponding reduction in vehicle excise duty.
Kinnock, who stresses that it is a personal view as he has no authority to impose the vignette scheme on Britain, argues that if it were adopted it would mean
British international operan rs would avoid being taxed twice.
He suggests that the Government could reduce kT.1) for hauliers by the same amount as the vignette—currently .075—which is what the Dutch and German governments have done. Kinnock says he has no idea why Britain is not already signed up for the scheme.
Eurovignettes will rist. 20% from the start of 1998, says Kinnock, but Euro-2 trucks on six axles with road-friendly suspensions could earn a reduction of 37% or £360, leaving a bill of £615.
Under the vignette scheme each country receives a proportion of the revenue raised equal to the number of journeys made by hauliers within its borders.
I Sweden has announced that it is to become part of the Eurovig-nette scheme from January 1997. From this date, UK hauliers will have to display the same permit that is required in Holland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and Austria.