Published: Thursday, 3rd July, 2008 09:00
Road charges will cripple us say bosses
By Alan Bunce and James Kell
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Peak time congestion charging got a thumbs down from the town’s business community.
Road tolls were the main plank of the proposals from the independent transport commission set up by borough councillors to try and sort out Reading’s traffic chaos.
Tuesday’s commission report was welcomed in principal but companies already suffering credit crunch stress were not ecstastic.
Steve Rankin, Thames Valley regional director for employers’ body the CBI, said: “All you will do with something specifically local is you will have different schemes all over the place.
“Cumulatively it’s going to put the strain on businesses that have to move around the country.
“If it’s Reading today, Swindon tomorrow and Slough the day after there is going to be all different schemes. The other thing is what will they do with the funds?”
Peak time charges, he said, may force employees to want to press for more pay but he said there would be more acceptance if the people could see road improvements.
If charging was seen purely as an additional tax, then firms already suffering huge transport costs would face yet more.
Mr Rankin added: “If the intention of congestion charging is just a reflection of the fact that they have finally thrown their hands up in despair and are saying 'we have got no chance of solving it’, then that is not a rational approach to solving transport issues.
“This will be compounded if the money is used for non transport uses.”
Broad Street Mall manager Steve Fawke said he was overjoyed that the one-way IDR has now been ditched but was sceptical that congestion charging would bring any benefits .
“When you come to Reading it costs £25 to park for the day which I think is outrageous. The council would be charging this money (congestion charging) and then you have to pay extortionate amounts to park. I think it would harm Reading’s image.”
However, Mr Fawke welcomed the report, particularly regarding the IDR and park and ride proposals but said more detail was needed.
Kevin Rapson. from Rabbit Vehicle Hire in Caversham said his firm already has to levy a £25 admin charge on customers who drive into the London congestion charging zone without paying, and is keeping a close eye on more inconvenience from the proposed similar Manchester scheme.
A peak time scheme in Reading he said, would hugely add to the complications.
He said: “What are they trying to do? Drive businesses out of town? Is it going to improve things or just cause more nuisance and inconvenience? They will stop people coming into Reading. It will drive people to out of town sites and businesses.”
Simon Darvall, managing director of Business Moves Group in Acre Road, said his firm has already had to get 16 trucks converted at a cost of £4,000 each to be able to enter the London low emissions zone and with the capital’s congestion charge, its costs were already high.
He added: “We pay enough road tax and duty on fuel. Hauliers and transport companies do not want to be paying more.”
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