Eurovignette may offer silver lining
Proposed reforms to the EU's Eurovignette Directive are expected to increase pressure for the UK to introduce a version of the road-charging system. EU transport commissioner Antonio Tajani is pushing for swift agreement over allowing member states to impose additional charges to compensate for lorry pollution, noise and congestion. He says: "Among the results will be greener transport, fewer emissions, up to 8% less fuel consumption by lorries and fewer hold-ups for all road users."
Meanwhile, the RHA is pushing for the UK government to adopt the existing Eurovignette system, which would see all lorries using UK roads charged for road maintenance costs. Although the new environmental element - if approved by EU ministers - would be optional, it would inevitably be an attractive policy option for any government under pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
