I believe that foreign owned road lorries and haulage companies should
make a contribution to the upkeep of Kent’s road network. British
based businesses do this by paying taxes on the fuel they buy here and
of course through their road tax. Apart from the wear and tear on the
roads, we all know that there can be considerable damage to roadsides
and verges caused by lorries parking up. In addition to this there are
the costs of policing Operation Stack. I have argued over the last two
years in this column and with Ministers that there should be a
charging scheme for lorries registered abroad to help cover some of
these costs. I am pleased to report that these calls have been
answered, and the Roads Minister, Mike Penning has announced that the
Government will introduce a Bill into parliament this year to put this
scheme in place.
The Government’s proposed scheme would require all heavy goods
vehicles to pay a charge to use our roads, but that this cost can be
offset against the taxes they pay on fuel. So those lorries that
regularly fill up in the UK, will be no worse off, and those that
don’t will have a charge to pay. Whilst it is not certain yet how much
money the scheme will make, I will certainly be pressing the
government to use some of its proceeds to support Kent’s roads, which
carry so much of the UK’s freight, moving to and from the Channel
Tunnel and Port of Dover.
On Monday evening I joined Emma Flower and her team from the Kent
Youth Service at the Folkestone Youth Project, at the Shed in the
harbour. The Project continues to run a popular youth club and support
the busy skate park. It has also enjoyed considerable success in the
last year in helping young people complete a number of vocational
courses in subjects including fire safety, fitness instruction and
first aid. The Project also works with young people on the Duke of
Edinburgh Award scheme. Over the last year 50 courses have been
completed by young people at The Shed, and I would like to add my
congratulations for their achievement.
Improving broadband speeds and connections remains one of the top
priorities for our area. The Government has set a target that over 90%
all homes in Britain should have access to broadband speeds of a least
2mbps by 2015; although of course many homes will have a much faster
service. Meeting this target would also give Britain the best
broadband network in Europe. The Department of Culture, Media and
Sport has made over £700m available to local authorities to help
deliver this and has now given its approval for Kent’s broadband plan.
This means that the county is on target to complete this important
upgrade of broadband services.
Finally, I would like to thank readers who responded to my article
last week about the rising premiums for flood insurance. Please do
send me any information you can if in the last year you have either
found it difficult to insure your home, or have seen a significant
rise in your premiums