News

A vignette pricing system in eastern England should be considered as a way to improve the efficiency of haulage movements, according to a regional freight strategy. The publication of a 245-page document by the East of England Regional Assembly into how freight in the region should be managed also reveals concerns over the impact of freight traffic in urban areas over the coming years.

The strategy document says that freight flowing in and out of the region will continue to increase by  about 8% above current levels by 2031, and is unlikely to be accommodated by expansion of rail freight capacity. It adds that by 2021 "important stretches of the highway network, from a freight perspective, will be severely congested or operating in excess of capacity."

It suggests the implementation of active management systems on the road network, the development of preferred lorry routes and consolidation centres and the provision of secure HGV parking facilities.

The report adds: "Further investigation of 'vignette' pricing mechanisms should be undertaken in collaboration with central government and other partners as part of the development and updating of the Regional Transport Strategy... with a revenue neutral reduction in vehicle excise duty."

Councillor Derrick Ashley, EERA chairman of the planning panel says it wants to see pressure taken off the roads: "This requires Government to invest more in the region's rail network including improvements to the rail  line between Felixstowe and the West Midlands, vital to reduce pressure on the A14."