I THIS WEEK pi Lib Dems 'open to persuasion' on road transport policy CM COVER STORY christoplief .waltonfdrbi.c.o.uk
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*HIE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS have
responded to the findings of Commercial Motor's Trucking Britain Out of Recession Survey (]'BOOR), published last week, saying it is "open to persuasion" on policy points for the road transport industry.
Participants in the TBOOR survey said that the most important thing for the next government to address is the removal of CVs from the fuel duty escalator, and the introduction of a levy on foreign operators.
Norman Baker (pictured right). Lib Dem shadow transport secretary, says that his party "recognises the pressures" the haulage industry faces and he would propose to introduce a road pricing regime on motorways and dual carriageways to meet the challenges.
"This would cut fuel duty significantly and abolish road tax for cars and reduce it to the Ell minimum for lorries, thus recycling revenue raised." Baker says. He adds: "This would also capture foreign lorries for the first time, thus providing a new income stream to invest in infrastructure."
He adds that the party, should it be elected. would introduce a limit on how much fuel could be brought into the UK by lorries travelling through the Channel Tunnel or on ferries. "which will eliminate the practice of 'tanking up".'
"We also believe a road pricing scheme will ease congest ion by encouraging drivers to shift to rail, thus easing pressure on the roads for those who have to use them," Baker insists.
Other areas respondents to the TBOOR survey wanted addressing include: maintaining investment in infrastructure; investing more in VOSA to tackle rogue operators; and delivering on the truck parking strategy launched in November 2009.
• The next TlitlOR survey is available online now. To take part. go In www.roadtransporl. min/brilain