Ilkley MP welcomes British road levy on lorries from Europe (From Wharfedale Observer)

Ilkley MP welcomes British road levy on lorries from Europe

8:00pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in Local news

A new charge to redress the imbalance between UK-registered HGVs – which pay charges or tolls in most European countries – and foreign-registered HGVs which currently do not pay to use the UK road network, has been backed in the Commons by Ilkley’s Conservative MP, Kris Hopkins The HGV Road User Levy will range from £85 per annum for the smallest lorry up to £1,000 for the largest, reflecting the amount of wear and tear caused to roads by wagons.

Speaking at Transport Questions in the House last week, Mr Hopkins told MPs that several large haulage companies were located in and around his Keighley constituency.

He asked Transport Minister Stephen Hammond: “With the HGV Road User Levy Bill due to receive Royal assent, do you agree that this is an important step to get a level playing field for British hauliers, and is long overdue?”

Replying, Mr Hammond said his Conservative colleague was “absolutely correct.”

He said: “The introduction of the HGV Road User Levy will be the first time the UK has made a charge on those coming from overseas for the use of our roads.

“It will help to maintain the competitive position of UK hauliers. It will help to maintain UK roads. There was a long-standing desire in this House to see this legislation pass.”

The minister added: “I was delighted we were able to take it through.”