Michael Fabricant has welcomed the opening of the M6 Toll Road, but says
this should not be an excuse for general charging on all motorways. "I
congratulate MEL and the contractors who constructed the M6 Toll Road so
very quickly" says Michael Fabricant. "I am convinced this will lead to
extra tourism and business for Lichfield and Burntwood which have been
somewhat cut-off from the motorway system in the past.

"But this should not now be used by the Transport Secretary as an excuse to
impose yet another stealth tax on motorists by charging for motorways
generally. If he does go in this direction, he should charge ALL road
users including heavy trucks which come in from Europe. They fill up with
cheap fuel in France, can travel to Scotland and back into continental
Europe without ever filling up in Britain or paying any taxes in Britain
despite wear and tear on British roads. This is unfair competition to
British hauliers. As compensation, British road tax for cars and
commercial vehicles should be slashed accordingly if not abolished
completely.

"Any plans by Labour to introduce road charging should not become yet
another stealth tax on the already hard pressed motorist who has to pay the
highest fuel prices in Europe – possibly the highest in the world" adds
Michael.