Road charging must fund genuine alternatives says FPB
Dear Editor of Press Cuttings Monthly,
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has called for genuine transport alternatives to be funded by any system of road charging introduced to the country’s busiest routes. Sir Rod Eddington, the government’s specialist Transport Adviser, is today (Friday, 1 December) delivering his advice to Government on the future of Britain’s transport needs, endorsing the introduction of a road charging system.
The FPB, which represents around 25,000 small and medium-sized businesses across the UK, fears that without workable alternatives to our congested roads, the proposed system will turn into just another tax on small firms and their employees.
Nick Goulding, Chief Executive of the FPB, says at the moment there is no viable alternative to our overcrowded roads: "Business must be able to put significant amounts of freight onto an efficient and cost-effective railway. Employees must have access to quick and cheap public transport."
"If a road charging system were introduced now, it would become just another tax for businesses and their workers because they have little choice."
The FPB also believes the size and scale of businesses’ use of the road network should be taken into account. Larger firms which transport goods in bulk long distances may be more inclined to use an improved rail system, but for those smaller firms with localised customers it may not be so practical. Mr Goulding said that could lead to a situation where smaller firms are made less competitive.
"Any road charging system for business must take into account that their ability to adapt to a changing transport infrastructure is dependent on size and sector. It may be easy for Tesco to utilise the rail networks, but a local trader on the outskirts of a major city may find it difficult to avoid costly charges."
The impact of a road charging system could also be disproportionate for smaller firms when compared with their larger rivals. Big business can absorb the added transport costs with greater ease than their smaller counterparts. Mr Goulding said that could again place an undue burden on small and medium-sized companies.
"Firms will benefit from less congested roads but that will be no consolation for smaller business if their increased profitability is swallowed by a huge rise in transport costs."
Notes to editors
Broadcast media – the Forum of Private Business now has ISDN capability and can provide comment, in quality audio, at short notice.
The FPB is pleased to support the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG):
www.fpb.org/charity
The Forum of Private Business background
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) was formed in 1977 and is a pressure group fighting on behalf of private businesses. The FPB represents approximately 25,000 UK-based businesses, which employ in excess of 600,000 people, and is a powerful lobbying voice in both the UK and the European Union.
The FPB, as the only full UK member of UEAPME – the organisation that represents small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe – is the most prominent advocate of UK SMEs in Brussels and has a track record of positively affecting legislation prior to its introduction in the UK.
The FPB also provides a range of business services aimed at increasing member efficiency and profitability. Visit
www.fpb.org
Media contact
Matt Hardman
Media and Public Relations Officer
Tel: 01565 626019
ISDN : 01565 654 673
Mobile: 07775 756306
Email:
matt.hardman@fpb.org
Login
Register
FAQ
