German toll leads to French charge
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The charge is seen as a response to the extra traffic travelling through eastern France following the introduction of the German Maut toll. The International Road Ransport Union reports that under a law approved in December, trucks will be subject to a -non-deductible tax.' of €0.001-0.015 per tonne/kilometre. A 40-tonner will be charged about €6 (E4.20) to travel 10km. FRANCE IS TO charge trucks over 12 tonnes for using certain roads in the Alsace region as part of a live-year trial.
Don Armour, The Freight Transport Association's manager of international affairs, says: "It's
another cross for operators to bear.They will have to look again at their routcings and scheduling."
• Italy has been warned by the European Commission for failing to respect road-charging legislation and allowing discounts of as much as 30% for frequent users of its motorways. EC VicePresident Jacques Barrot says this favours national operators, distorts competition and contradicts the 'user pays' principle.
• The EC has vetoed Germany's proposal to reimburse its hauliers following the introduction of the Maul motorway toll, describing it as 'incompatible with the common market".