FTA calls for close scrutiny of A14 tolling

The FTA ‘Commercial Vehicle Operators’ Road Toll Charter’ is set out as follows:

1. Visibility of charging elements
There needs to be transparency about the basis of the charge, how is it calculated and what costs it seeks to recover.  There must be no discriminatory pricing against commercial vehicles.

2. Compensatory reduction in fuel duty
Road users already pay over £40 billion in taxes and commercial vehicle operators about £25 billion in fuel duty alone.  Any new tolls or charges must be offset by an equivalent reduction in fuel duty and other taxes - there can be no Double Taxation!

3. Availability of alternative non-tolled route
The Government cannot grant a monopoly to a road operator on routes where no suitable alternative exists to the tolled route (for example, the M6 provides an alternative to the M6 Toll Road).

4. Minimum service levels
Any contract to manage and charge for a new road must be accompanied by minimum standards of service, including route availability in severe weather, breakdown recovery and assistance times, minimum transit times and parking and rest facilities.  Freight companies will expect value for money and compensation when service falls short of promised standards.

5. Lower rates for less polluting and less road-wearing vehicles
Vehicles meeting the latest low emission standards should be offered discounts to incentivise their use and recognise the contribution they make to improved environmental standards.  As with vehicle excise duty, charges should be lower for vehicles with fewer axles or lower weights that cause less impact to the road surface.

6. Harmonisation of charging systems
There should be a common national basis for the charge and any payment technology such as a tag to avoid the current problem of having a cab full of tags for different bridges and tunnels.  Ideally FTA would like to see a move away from toll plazas which cause congestion, towards Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) which is to be implemented at the Dartford Crossing in the Autumn of 2014.

7. Toll revenue to be invested in the roads to which they apply
Revenue from tolls and charges should be invested in the route to which they apply to guarantee a high standard of road condition and level of service.

8. Declaration of new building programme
The Government should publish a long-term plan for investment in the road network and identify proposed new routes on which tolling would be expected to be applied.

FTA expects to be involved in the consultation process moving forward and for the tolling charter to be included in the discussions about the level of tolls for goods vehicles.