WHAT PRICE VIGNETTES?
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So it's eyes down for a UK truck vignette scheme. The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution wants one, and Deputy PM John Prescott says its report is "in tune with much of our thinking." Sorted. Strangely enough, a UK vignette scheme is something that the Road Haulage Association has also been asking for. When CM revealed the RHA's plan back in August we reported RHA director-general Steven Norris's claim that 'it wouldn't cost the Treasury a penny". Under the RHA's scheme UK operators would buy a vignette in order to drive on Britain's roads (but would get an equivalent reduction in VED). Foreign drivers entering this country would also have to buy one. The Commission just says a vignette charge would have to be "sufficiently large" to cover environmental damage. How large is "large"? If the Government wants greener transport it can't have it at the price that's currently being paid for it. It's no good simply saying the polluter must pay. Who'll pay the polluter?
The bad news is that Commercial Motor's cover price is going up. The good news is that, despite constant increases in the cost of newsprint and other essential supplies, we've managed to peg the increase to just 5p—and we're determined to maintain our policy of offering exceptional value for money. Next week, for example, as well as the Foden 4405 roadtest and other features previewed on our contents page, your £1.35 will get you a 32-page report on our Trailer of the Year competition and a four-page Haulage Bulletin packed with need-toknow information. And of course we'll continue to bring you the most up to date news of the industry, with biggest classified ads section in the business. Don't miss it!