FTA slams MG toll
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M The new Mg toll road is to cost a massive 240% more than Its operator promised at a Public inquiry in 494, claims the Freight Transport Association.
Evidence was given by Midland Expressway (MEL) in 1994 outlining the rates it expected to charge for vehicles using the road. At that time MEL was only a prospective operator of the scheme and it had not yet been given the go-ahead to build the road.
MEL indicated trucks would be charged £3 and cars 11.70. The FTA says that even allowing for inflation, the rate of £3.94 is enormously different to the £11 charge announced two weeks ago (CM8-14 May).
"It cries out for an explanation," says FM chief executive Richard Turner. "They have chosen to Inflate the rate by something like 2.5 times and were granted planning permission on the basis of what they said at the Public Inquiry."
Turner says he has written to MEL's MD, Tom Fanning, demanding an explanation: They have a duty to explain; they have been very quiet."