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For Bikers
After indicating last year in a consultation document
that the toll charges for motorcycles on the Dartford
Bridge would be dropped, the Minister for Transport,
John Spellar, has announced that the Government would
proceed with implementing the new charging regime for
the Dartford Crossing to commence in April 2003.
The key factor affecting motorcycles in the announcement
is that bikers will not be charged! MAG's Director Of
Public Affairs, Trevor Baird said, " The present
toll charge is 40p one way, with the dropping of charges
for motorcycles this could represent in a working year
a saving of over one hundred and fifty pounds."
The issue was raised during the run up to the last general
election when many thousands of riders turned up at
Dartford, Southampton, Plymouth,
Newcastle and similarly tolled crossings. This will
reinforce MAG's message that we should not be scrabbling
about removing gloves for loose change, holding up larger
traffic, or putting
ourselves at risk of dropping machines.
To emphasise these problems, and to 'raise the ante'
riders had been urged to offer large denomination notes
when using tolled crossings and to take time replacing
their gloves, wallets, helmets and waterproofs.
This comes on top of motorcycles not being subjected
to the £5 per day congestion charging in London.
Whatever next ? Motorcycles exempt from Vehicle Excise
Duty?
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