Road fund rip-off In his recent Budget the Chancellor announced
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that he would not be increasing the Road Fund Licence—the ■ rate was left the same. But from 1 April a "first registration" fee of £25 has to be paid on each new vehicle.
When one considers how many new vehicles are registered each year, this new tax (sorry, "fee") raises further millions of pounds from the road user.
It is supposed to cover administration costs even though, for the privilege of spending so much money, we will no doubt still be queueing in the same overcrowded, uncomfortable conditions to receive the same mediocre service.
As a heavy truck salesman I recently registered five new vehicles at a total cost of £16,175 (£3,210 per vehicle plus the £25 fees).
To generate the same amount of revenue for the Chancellor my car sales colleagues would have to register 95 cars.
This begs the question: who is causing the real pollufion and congestion? After all, 95 cars take up much more road space than five HGVs, regardless of their size, and 95 car engines create much more pollution than five heavy diesels.
All too often politicians, and other public figures who should know better, mislead the public into thinking the opposite by quoting unsound and often untrue "facts".
Next time we buy food, fuel, booze, DIY materials, clothes, furniture or even the car itself, remember that if we buy it, a truck brings it. And thanks to its unrivalled efficiency and flexibility, we enjoy the maximum choice and immediate availability no other form of transport can provide.
Remember too that the goods arriving in your local supermarket in one truck leave in 500 cars.
Every time truck operating costs are meddled with, whether by legislation or taxation by any other name, these costs will ultimately be reflected in the goods we buy, regardless of what the Chancellor says.
Mike Davies, Waterlooville.