Extra toll would be fatal to some hauliers, warns Higgins

AN extra toll on heavy goods lorries will put hundreds of Irish hauliers out of business and make the country’s exports more expensive, the European Parliament has been warned.

They voted in favour of a new law that will allow countries to tax trucks using their roads for air and noise pollution.

The new charges are estimated to increase tolls from 12% to 27% and to increase them even further during specific times to discourage lorries from driving during rush hours. It will add 3 cents to 4 cents to the current 15c to 25c per kilometre currently charged.