It has been announced that the UK will begin charging foreign lorries for using British roads, in order to balance the financial advantage of European countries.
At present UK hauliers pay for using roads in Europe, putting them at a financial disadvantage when they already pay the second highest fuel prices in Europe. It is hoped that by levying a similar road charge on European companies travelling within the UK, the balance will be redressed.
Foreign lorries could be charge up to £1000 a year. UK hauliers will also pay the charge, but they will receive a cut in vehicle excise duty in order to ensure that they do not pay any more than they do at present.
Geoff Dunning of the Road Haulage Association said it was a good decision which would help to level the playing field for UK hauliers. He commented that the £1000 levy was not enough to fully redress the balance but it is a good start.
At present UK haulage companies face high costs in terms of some of the highest fuel prices in Europe. While they can benefit from lower fuel prices when travelling in Europe, and European fuel cards can help to make fuel management easier, paying to use the roads creates an additional financial burden.