RHA behind HGV Manchester Congestion Charge fight

The Manchester congestion charge is due to come into force in 2013.  The RHA is urging any and all HGV operators that work in and around Manchester to strongly oppose the congestion charge and to not give up their fight.

Earlier this year, a spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive said that HGV drivers have until the 10th October to get their voice heard if they feel they should not be forced to pay the charge.

Under the current proposals, the DfT, which is overseeing the proposed scheme through the TIF (Transport Innovation Fund), announced that HGV’s will pay the same charge as cars.

The RHA northern regional director, Geoff Dunning, says that this is actually a move forward.

“The original proposals included a provision that trucks would pay more than cars. I believe that it is because of the RHA’s pressure before the formal consultation that they now propose to set the charge at the same rate as cars: so we have made a little progress.  Having said that, we have not yet given up on the possibility of trucks being exempt, and we are currently urging our members to oppose the imposition of this charge.

Trucks are being treated in exactly the same way as cars, with no recognition of the fact that they deliver the goods that the city’s economy needs.  Also, trucks generally cannot choose a travel time, as customers dictate delivery times.  The charge is irrelevant to trucks as the whole point of the scheme is to change people’s behaviour and get them out of cars.”

All members of the RHA should receive a draft letter from the organisation this week for them to send to the organisation behind the scheme, Greater Manchester Future Transport.  This draft letter will highlight why HGVs should not be forced to pay the charge.

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