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EU plans new charges for lorries | EU plans new charges for lorries |
(4 days later) | |
A panel of Euro MPs has voted to introduce extra road charges to curb congestion and pollution from lorries. | A panel of Euro MPs has voted to introduce extra road charges to curb congestion and pollution from lorries. |
The measures - not yet adopted by EU ministers and the full European Parliament - would beef up an existing "Eurovignette" directive. | The measures - not yet adopted by EU ministers and the full European Parliament - would beef up an existing "Eurovignette" directive. |
EU states would be free to impose levies on lorries using major roads. The current rules only apply to those on motorways that cross borders. | EU states would be free to impose levies on lorries using major roads. The current rules only apply to those on motorways that cross borders. |
But the scheme would not oblige states to introduce congestion charges. | |
States might choose to introduce separate congestion charges like the one in London, but the new rules would target traffic on major national and international highways rather than urban areas. | |
The European Commission, which drafted the revised directive, says the new charges would mean an extra 3% cost for road users. | The European Commission, which drafted the revised directive, says the new charges would mean an extra 3% cost for road users. |
Graduated charges | Graduated charges |
The parliament's transport committee decided there would be a sliding scale of charges, depending on how eco-friendly lorries are and the distance travelled. | |
Unlike the London congestion charge, the scheme would not be based on a fixed fee per vehicle linked to certain hours of the day. | |
MEPs believe electronic tolling systems can levy the appropriate charges. | MEPs believe electronic tolling systems can levy the appropriate charges. |
Under the new rules, charges would apply to lorries on all roads "which customarily carry a significant volume of international goods transport". | Under the new rules, charges would apply to lorries on all roads "which customarily carry a significant volume of international goods transport". |
Currently only lorries above 12 tonnes on international motorways are charged, but from 2012 the charges would be extended to 3.5-tonne vehicles. | Currently only lorries above 12 tonnes on international motorways are charged, but from 2012 the charges would be extended to 3.5-tonne vehicles. |
The full parliament is expected to vote on the measures on 1 March. | The full parliament is expected to vote on the measures on 1 March. |
Green investment | Green investment |
MEPs were united in demanding "earmarking" of the revenues, to ensure that member states invest in improving the environmental standards of vehicles and develop alternative transport infrastructure. | MEPs were united in demanding "earmarking" of the revenues, to ensure that member states invest in improving the environmental standards of vehicles and develop alternative transport infrastructure. |
The plan for "earmarking" is expected to meet opposition from EU finance ministers, as governments prefer to control their own budget allocations. | The plan for "earmarking" is expected to meet opposition from EU finance ministers, as governments prefer to control their own budget allocations. |
The EPP-ED group opposed selective congestion charges for lorries, citing the difficult economic conditions and arguing that all road users were responsible for congestion. | The EPP-ED group opposed selective congestion charges for lorries, citing the difficult economic conditions and arguing that all road users were responsible for congestion. |
So the compromise plan on congestion applies to all vehicles and requires member states to produce a cost/benefit analysis and an action plan before imposing a charge. | So the compromise plan on congestion applies to all vehicles and requires member states to produce a cost/benefit analysis and an action plan before imposing a charge. |
UK Independence Party transport spokesman Mike Nattrass said the new legislation "would be a catastrophe for the HGV sector and the British economy". | UK Independence Party transport spokesman Mike Nattrass said the new legislation "would be a catastrophe for the HGV sector and the British economy". |
The Belgian Socialist MEP steering the revised directive through parliament, Said El Khadraoui, said road transport had to be made more sustainable. | The Belgian Socialist MEP steering the revised directive through parliament, Said El Khadraoui, said road transport had to be made more sustainable. |
The package would "allow EU governments to calculate costs related to noise, air pollution and congestion caused by lorries, and then levy the relevant charge," he said. | The package would "allow EU governments to calculate costs related to noise, air pollution and congestion caused by lorries, and then levy the relevant charge," he said. |
"The revenues... are to be used to mitigate the negative environmental effects of lorries. This should lead to a significant reduction of noise, air pollution and congestion." | "The revenues... are to be used to mitigate the negative environmental effects of lorries. This should lead to a significant reduction of noise, air pollution and congestion." |
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