RHA Recovery Group says "Give us a break Mr Livingstone"
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"Is the PM finally seeing sense?" asks RHA
The Road Haulage Association welcomes the Prime Minister’s assertion this morning that no decision has been taken on national road user charging.
"Such a tax on journeys would be intrusive, complex and hugely expensive. At best, the benefit would be marginal," said RHA Chief Executive Roger King.
The RHA has severe doubts as to whether a national journey tax is practicable. This view is based on the experience of lorry road user charging, which was promised only for the project to be abandoned after four years and £40m spent on consultants’ fees.
"We need to change the debate", he continued. "Far simpler options are available for tackling congestion, such as: changes in the hours of employment - local and central government could give a lead here; and greater home working.
"Investment must be made to increase trunk road and motorway capacity, to meet existing demand for efficient and reliable transport, with or without a charging system. And at a more modest level, we are frustrated at the lack of progress being made in making relatively minor infrastructure improvements at bottlenecks."
Ends
The Road Haulage Association - supporting the industry on which the UK depends.
Contact Phil Flanders, RHA Scotland & Northern Ireland Director on...
Tel: 0131 472 4180
Fax: 0131 472 4179
Mob: 07801 500713
or
Kate Gibbs, RHA Communications Manager on..
Tel: 01932 838917
Fax: 01932 838916
Mob: 07979 531451
