Truck drivers criticise inclusion in Manchester charge
Date: 17 July 2008
Truck drivers have criticised the decision to include heavy goods vehicles in the Manchester congestion zone.
According to a report for online resource Road Transport, the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive last month announced it had not reached a decision as to whether trucks would be included but has now decided to treat them the same as other car of a congestion charge is implemented.
This would see truck drivers conducting haulage work in the city being charged £2 when travelling on the city's outer ring road and £1 for using the inner ring road, adds the news provider.
Charges would be in place between the peak hours of 07:00 BST and 09:30 BST and 16:00 BST and 18:30 BST.
Speaking to Road Transport, James Wilkinson, managing director at Austin Wilkinson, said that commercial vehicles cannot help going into the city centre during these hours as it is their business to drop off loads when customers require.
"It is an extra cost we will have to pass on to our customers," he added.
In related news, the second phase of the London low emission zone scheme began last week, with trucks weighing more than 3.5 tonnes being charged £200 to enter the capital unless they meet certain emission requirements.
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