merseymouth wrote:Hi all, Just read that Minister Gove wants to bring in the requirement for a landing permit obtained before travel in order to arrive on Kent soil?
Sounds ok to me, after all a visa is often required for access to many countries!
Maybe we could also copy the charges to use motorways that many countries employ??
I will confess ignorance as to what the full systems are, do vehicle owners in those countries have to pay the equivalent charge such as the V.E.D. applied here, then pay additional fees to use motorways, then it is certainly fair that we pay when we visit their country. But if it is a pick and mix that brings about inequalities then it should be looked at.
I repeat again I know little on this matter, but why shouldn't folk who wreck he roads pay to maintain them regardless of location!
Truth is I wish we could reverse the reliance on massive road miles employed for movement of goods, landed in lorries at coastal ports then erosive travel the length & breadth of the U.K. to go to other ports to travel to another country with ports! Why not cut out the worn down middle country?
Switzerland has measures in place to limit the use of the country as a rat run, greener than the current model here!
As usual shoot me down, well it is to be hoped that I might learn new stuff. MM
The only EU through traffic of the UK is from and to Ireland. A country of just 5 million people.
It is a only a very small part of our traffic problem overall.
Most of that problem is over-reliance on road for so much of our own imported and essential foodstuffs and other goods.
Switzerland sits slap bang in the middle of the EU. Between the major population, industry and agricultural producers of Germany and N Italy, and more.
There are limited options for crossing the barrier of the Alps.
The Swiss have invested heavily in rail tunnels and other rail infrastructure to partially alleviate this heavy road traffic. The rail system is state owned and quite efficient. Some heavy lorry trailers are put onto the all electric rail system for through transport.
((We in the UK after years of starving our rail freight capacity of money will take many years to catch up))
Additionally all vehicles in Switz pay a set annual fee (vignette) to use the motorway system. But major roads are not tolled.
Switzerland while not a full member of the EU has 40 years of treaties and agreements with Brussels.
40 years!
It is also a member of the Schengen free movement area.
It enjoys a great deal of profitable and beneficial free trade with the EU and vice versa.