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Hauliers may be exempt from C-Charge

Annette Lord
18/ 4/2008

HEAVY lorries could be exempt from paying the Toll Tax.

Council chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein told the city's business leaders at a meeting last week that haulage firms could be treated as a "special case" should congestion charging be introduced in Manchester.

He was speaking at a business breakfast arranged by the chamber of commerce at Trafford Park, home to many of the city's distribution firms.

No firm decision has yet been made but the Advertiser understands the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) is looking at setting an upper limit for the number of times HGV drivers can be charged for crossing into the different pricing zones in each peak period.

Sir Howard was not available to elaborate further on his comments but a spokesman for the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, which is supporting the £3bn bid to the Transport Innovation Fund, confirmed that "alternative charges" were being looked at to make sure the final scheme has the "greatest possible benefit to businesses."

One person present at the meeting told the Advertiser: "The debate was fiery and a number of interesting points were raised.

"A solicitor from a legal firm that represents hauliers said if they were charged, haulage firms would have to recoup the cost and this could have safety implications. They may make cuts to maintenance or drivers could work longer hours.

"Someone else said that a person who uses a car can choose to bus, cycle or walk but a pallet has to go on the back of a lorry.

"I think it pleased everybody to hear Sir Howard talk about haulage as a special case. He made it clear that they have not decided to charge haulage firms yet. It is looking more positive."