On the roads, you can’t have it both ways

THE Road Haulage Association must know that everything is taxed, so why do they think they should be exempt, when they do not have to pay to use the roads? (Letters, Dec 21).

They cannot have it both ways; if they claim that taxes are charges, they are tax-exempt.

The damage caused by road is proportional to the fourth power of the axle weight. HGVs are mainly responsible for damage to roads — they do not pay the externalised costs — the fact is they are very heavily subsidised. It is nonsense to say they are fighting to survive; with whom?