10 March 2015

'Unfair that Irish Freight operators pay UK road levy'

The Freight Transport Association Ireland (FTAI) is concerned that the main freight artery from Donegal to the Republic of Ireland is now subject to payment of the UK Road Levy.

The FTAI says Irish hauliers should be exempt from paying the HGV Road User Levy for use of the A5, and added that it is unsatisfactory that traffic from the Republic transiting Norther Ireland on this roadway should be subject to the charge.

FTAI want N.I. political parties standing in the UK general election 2015, and those intending to stand for election in the Dail in 2016, to clarify their position on this matter, and asked that they outline their reply to the points raised.

The Irish Exchequer recognises the importance of the A5 as a transit route for Irish hauliers, and Donegal bound freight, and has paid the UK €50m for the upgrade of the road. In addition, Donegal residents have also expressed their dissatisfaction at the UK Levy being introduced on the vital route.

The HGV Road User Levy came into effect on 1 April 2014, in UK law, and has resulted in an increase of costs for HGV operators from Ireland using roads in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.