Road pricing scheme.....

[Loosehead]

With obvious unpopularity of the raod pricing scheme, do you think TB is pressing ahead with what will alienate millions of voters in order to sabotage Brown's chances in the next election? Assuming Brown does succeed of course, is this a effectively a final hissy fit before leaving office?

[ludwig]

I don't think so Loosehead. I think he's just pressing ahead with it because he wants to, because it's something he'll probably never have to pay himself.
The taxpayer will be picking up the bill for his chauffeur driven Jag as well as their own cars.

[Gromit]

I don't think it will make all that much difference to Brown's chances at the next election. True, a lot of people are het up about this at the moment. However, if you ask the electorate a set of different questions such as:

Should we try to reduce pollution? Congestion?. There will probably be more people who agree with that than are cross about paying for road use.

Pensioners' votes at the next election will be crucial to the eventual winner and many pensioner are pedestrians and would welcome less traffic, safer roads etc.

It is also worth mentioning that there is a large minority of people who do not drive and who do not own a car. And couldn't care less about this issue.

It is a bit harsh to pin the blame on Tony Blair has he has shown great reluctance to tackle this issue in the last ten years.

[Hugh Spencer]

As I hav said in another section, this road pricing scheme comes from a European directive. Do we still want to put up all the sometimes crazy ideas from Europe? Coupled with all the waste, of materials and money, millions of pounds every day and a puppy dog government who doesn't know how to make it's own decisions.

[Loosehead]

You're preaching the converted in my case Hugh, I'd pull us out tomorrow.

[kwicky]

Well they have got to find the money somewhere to finance these middle east wars. You don't think they are going to plough it back into transport do you?

[Whickerman]

3 quick points

1. I can't believe the electorate in Britain will allow this to happen - are you all sheep? (Is it time for a revolution in your country????)

2. Can you tell me what directive this stems from? It's definitely not on the agenda here in Ireland, and we're usually some of the first to sign directives into law

3. (Leading from 2) EU directives don't actually have to be signed into law in member states you know.... You're being fed newspeak by your govt and the press...!

[Hugh Spencer]

Hi Whickerman,
EU Directive 2004/52

[Whickerman]

Thanks Hugh

Some thoughts on this (having read the Directive) http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/200 4/l_166/l_16620040430en01240143.pdf
.

This directive intends to streamline toll charges across the EU to avoid congestion at toll plazas (from exerience, a bain in the life of Irish motorists). It does not state anywhere that all roads must be tolled, instead referring specifically to increasing ease of use on roads already subject to tolls. Where non-electronic tolling is in operation, electronic versions should be introduced and this will be the same system across the Union, so that drivers from other countries still pay to use roads when they travel to other member states.

Therefore, if your govt is quoting this at you as a reason to tax you off the road, they're lying to you. However, I doubt you'll find anyone who does tell you this, as article 3 section 2, on page 13, specifically precludes the directive from acting as an excuse to toll, stating categorically "it shall concern only the method of collecting tolls or fees".

That said, section 8 does make mention of road charging policies. As these will be at member state level, it's got nothing to do with the EU, and everything to do with your parliament. You must do everything you can to stop these from being implemented, and sooner rather than later. You stopped the Poll tax, but let it be replaced by the much more inequiatble council tax. Stop this before it starts.