Duty will make up for road cost
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The government's lorry road-user charge (LRUC), due to be introduced in 2006, is likely to apply to heaviest trucks first, and then be rolled down to include all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. The new information comes as the Treasury released its second document on the LRUC as CM went to press on Tuesday. It also suggests a differential rate structure, where heavier trucks with fewer axles will pay more per kilometre.
Writing exclusively for CM (see page 10), Treasury minister John Healey says two basic rates are to be used—one for motorways, the other for roads, but rates may vary according to the time of day.
The charge aims to ensure all trucks over 3.5 tonnes using UK roads, including those from abroad, "pay fairly towards the costs they impose", says the Treasury. The move to adopt LRUC follows a long campaign for foreign hauliers to pay to use UK roads.
As a result, the Treasury is also looking at how the LRUC can be offset for UK hauliers, and although the government says it Is to deliver tax cuts through fuel duty reductions, it hasn't yet decided how this will work. it's considering either introduc ing a new marked diesel or rebates, Market researcher MORI will also be carrying out a two-month survey of foreignregistered trucks using UK roads as part of the project.
• What do YOU think of this, and of John Healey's plans for helping OUR industry compete with foreign hauliers (see page 10)? Email: emmapenny® ti.co.uk, call us an 020 8652 3718, or fax us on 020 865280.