Courier Exchange

Committee: Transport improvements needed before C-charges

Local authorities need to make sure local transport infrastructure is improved before introducing any road pricing schemes, according to the Commons Transport Select Committee.

Schemes such as the proposed congestion charge in Manchester are strongly opposed by many, including courier and haulage firms whose bottom line will be badly affected if their vehicles have to pay the proposed fee.

However, in its new report the committee says that transport improvements must be made before such measures can come into effect, a stance that has also been adopted by the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

The committee, which is to carry out an inquiry into freight transport in the UK, also argued that the government's influence on the senior traffic commissioner should be limited.

It sees its role as ensuring that goods can be moved "freely, reliably and efficiently" within the freight transport industry. Its objectives are to "facilitate the continued development of a competitive and efficient freight sector while reducing the impact of freight movement on congestion, safety, the environment and other road users; and prepare domestic initiatives to reduce burdens on industry, as part of the [transport] department's drive towards better regulation".

James Hookham, the FTA's policy director, commented: "The Select Committee inquiry will provide the opportunity for the industry to demonstrate the cutting edge efficiency with which it operates, together with explaining the problems it encounters."

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