FTA calls for close scrutiny of A14 tolling
In reaction to the announcement by the Highways Agency to upgrade the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon, The Freight Transport Association is calling for the industry to be closely involved in discussions about how the scheme will be funded.
The Highways Agency says toll charges for cars could be £1.50 and £3 for lorries.
The proposed £1.5bn scheme will see a new 12-mile Huntingdon bypass as part of a package of improvements on the 22-mile route. This will be mostly funded by Central Government, with some money from Local Authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships. However, FTA’s concern is that the shortfall will have to be picked up by those using the route, including the transport and logistics industry.
Malcolm Bingham, FTA’s Head of Road Network Management Policy: “FTA welcomes at long last a commitment to fund the upgrading of this essential strategic piece of infrastructure. But tolling is always bad news for the logistics industry as it is always taken as a threat of extra cost.”
“FTA members realise that without tolling, it will be difficult to raise the necessary funding for new infrastructure, but our members want to ensure that any tolling that is put in place is reasonable and fit within the parameters of the Association’s tolling charter.”
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