Foreign lorries face UK road charge
17th September, 2012
Foreign lorries are to be charged up to £1,000 a year to use UK roads in a move to boost British hauliers.
The new charge is designed to create a "level playing field" for UK haulage companies, whose heavy goods vehicles already have to pay for using roads in European countries.
The new charges will also be levied on British lorries - but they will receive a corresponding cut in vehicle excise duty so they will pay no more than at present.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "These proposals will deliver a vital shot in the arm to the UK haulage industry.
"It is simply not right that foreign lorries do not pay to use our roads, when our trucks invariably have to fork out when travelling to the continent.
Road Haulage Association chief executive Geoff Dunning said it was a "happy day" for road hauliers.
