Paul O'Leary, director of Sovereign Road Freight, is fed up
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with the disparity in road costs paid by UK international operators and their EU counterparts.
'There is one rule for us and another for our European counterparts'
As hauliers, we think it is about time the Government started to help rather than hinder our country's road haulage industry.
After seeking help from our local MP, we were horrified at the replies we received. The issue we're talking about is foreign hauliers using the British road system absolutely free of charge; yet we are forced to pay the Eurovignette at a cost of £4.95 a day then, on top of this, all the various road tolls throughout France, Italy, Spain, etc.
Roads Minister Baroness Hayman said in a recent letter to us that "to charge foreign hauliers for the use of our roads would be to discriminate against them, which would be contrary to EU legislation". We, as members of the British public, were under the impression that this country is now an EU member, so are we not being discriminated against, having to pay to use European roads? Do we not come within the jurisdiction of EU legislation? It would seem there is one rule for us, and another For our European counterparts! And this is not limited to road haulage.
Foreign hauliers arrive in the UK and can drive all week and all weekend and on public holidays free of charge, unhindered by our police force. UK hauliers are forced to park up for up to 24 hours during a weekday public holiday in the EU, as well as during the compulsory ban at weekends. This can result in up to three working days being lost by UK hauliers— an inconvenience and loss of earnings that is not forced upon our EU counterparts when they visit the UK.
The current cost of taxation for articulated vehicles starts at £1,240 on the concessionary rate for 3+3 artics, rising to the extortionate rate of £5,000 a year for the use of a 2+2 artic. As the UK/international haulier can spend up to 80% of the working week on continental roads (for which we have to pay yet again), should we not be entitled to a reduced rate of road fund taxation on production of evidence of our use of the EU road system? Unless the rules are changed soon, the only course of action open to UK/ international hauliers will be to limit themselves to the UK only, causing more road congestion and reducing rates even further in our already cut-throat market.
The present Government appears to have inherited a general lack of regard for our haulage industry generated by Brussels and, unless the Government takes immediate steps to redress the balance, our haulage industry will continue to suffer a slow deterioration into the next millennium and beyond. In a recent letter to us from Baroness Hayman, she states:1 can assure you that the Government recognises the vital contribution that our road haulage industry makes to the economy of the country. Over 90% of overland freight moves by the road and our haulage sector is one of the most efficient and competitive in Europe. This means it is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the single market. You can be confident that we are working to ensure that it continues to thrive."
Being a member of the EU should ensure no discrimination against member states— which is obviously not the case with our haulage industry.