Raitfreight costs threat
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• Cash-strapped hauliers could face yet another hike in costs if the railfreight lobby wins Government support for a weight-distance tax.
In Rail Freight Group's response to the Government's paper on integrated transport, it calls for trucks to pay "their full direct, indirect and external costs at the point of use". RFG argues that a weight-distance tax works well in New Zealand.
Another option it suggests would be to combine a number of measures such as fuel tax rises, a vignette system and road congestion charges.
The RFG has also asked Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to explain how a new package of measures designed to boost railfreight, including the French government's pledge to encourage "freight freeways", will work in practice.
This follows agreement by the UK and French governments to extend Eurotunners operating licence for the Channel Tunnel by 34 years from 2052 to 2086.