MP's freight tax

MP's freight tax to cut A14 jams

The MP says there needs to be an alternative to roadsLorries using the A14 could be charged for every mile they travel under a proposal by an MP to get freight off roads and onto the railways.
David Howarth, MP for Cambridge, said the move would ease congestion on the road between Felixstowe in Suffolk and the M6 in the Midlands.
The Road Haulage Association, which represents lorry operators, said HGVs were not the cause of the problem.
Mr Howarth said: "We need to persuade companies to send freight by rail."
He said: "The government failed to back a bid for European funding for the Felixstowe to Nuneaton rail scheme.
Better rail services
"This scheme is essential to provide a real alternative to the A14 for freight.
"The tax would also mean investment in better rail services for both passengers and freight."
Martin Dean, from the Road Haulage Association, said lorry drivers were not the problem.
He said: "Cars travel 44.8 billion kilometres on rural trunk roads like the A14, compared with 5.6 billion kilometres for all goods vehicles.
"The number of cars will increase by 5.7% by 2101, compared with 0.9% growth of all goods vehicles."