RHA hits out at AGMA report

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is objecting to the proposed Transport Innovation Fund bid by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA). It says the proposal is fundamentally flawed because of the intention to impose a congestion charge on goods vehicle operators. Geoff Dunning, northern regional director of the RHA, says: "[The proposal] is totally dedicated to passenger transport. On the charging side they say nothing about freight, only that they will be charge more than cars. This is totally unacceptable.

"They have also said that operators can just change the time they deliver - that is totally naive." The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has also spoken out against the bid, stating that the initial draft said nothing about LGVs. Geoff Dossetter, director of external affairs at the FTA, says: "A scheme that reduces congestion [caused by] private cars would be welcome, but freight is essential. If appropriate, it should be excluded from the charge."

The RHA's formal response highlights, among many other issues, that the AGMA report fails to reflect the contribution that trucks make to the economy of Greater Manchester and that the charge will have a direct negative impact on freight deliveries both inside and outside the charging area. The proposal is open to public consultation until July. Nick Cole, principal transport policy officer for Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, has previously stated: "It is key that we hear from industry because we want to limit the impact on freight and make sure the charge works for them too."