Cambridgeshire businesses leaders concerned over A14 tolling plans
A14 upgrade plans 2013 - Credit: Archant
CONCERNS have been raised about the impact on businesses of introducing a toll on the new A14.
The Government says it is fair that drivers should contribute to the £1.5billion cost of the scheme by paying when they use the route. But groups representing business and hauliers have questioned the proposed charges.
Malcolm Lyons, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses Huntingdonshire, said: “We are on the one hand elated that we have a new road. That’s positive.
“My reservation is the cost and having a toll on such a major road. It’s not going to help local business people.
“Vans will want to use the quickest route. Hauliers already pay road tax.”
You may also want to watch:
John Bridge, chief executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, said he was disappointed a toll system was part of the proposals. He said. “It deflects attention from the strategic position. Now you have an emotional discussion about the merits of tolling or not.”
Malcolm Bingham, the Freight Transport Association’s head of road network management policy, welcomed the commitment to fund the A14 upgrade but said tolling was always bad news for the logistics industry.
Most Read
- 1 Letter of the Week: Brexit gain for food bank!
- 2 Cambridgeshire police officer dismissed after conduct hearing
- 3 WATCH: One minute silence to honour the Duke
- 4 Bullying and insider trader claims pile up against former deputy leader
- 5 Woman who died in fatal crash in Eaton Ford has been named
- 6 Best Seat in the House - Meal boxes - are they an over-priced luxury?
- 7 More Readers' Photos for this week
- 8 Concerns raised about increase in lorries if plan goes ahead
- 9 Domestic abuse survivor speaks out on 'reign of terror'
- 10 New emergency facilities open at Hinchingbrooke Hospital
Any charges would be passed on to the customer, he said.
He called for a range of measures to protect the industry from the increased costs, including reducing fuel duty and the availability of alternative routes.
The Highways Agency’s programme manager for the A14 scheme, Ian Parker, said most of the through traffic would use the new road.
“This proposal is all about encouraging traffic to use the A14,” he said. “It’s about attracting traffic onto the road because it’s good value.”
Traffic modelling had shown not a lot of vehicles would choose to use the alternative routes, such as the A428, he said.