"The huge influx of vehicles using UK roads and adding to congestion and wear and tear should be partially offset by introducing a modest charge, along the lines of the Swiss system but covering all roads, on incoming foreign registered vehicles.
The charge should be related to damage caused to the roads, so that cars would pay a lower sum than LGV's, should be valid for a period of 90 consecutive days, thus tourists would pay a nominal charge for use of UK roads, business and comercial users would pay a charge more consistant with the damage they cause.
Failure to display the "vignette" should result in a summary fine, enforced by retention of the vehicle until the charge and fine is paid.
Sounds quite a sensible idea. I don't know a lot about foreign cars and going abroad with cars and the like, never having done either, but it all sounds quite sensible. If, as the petitioner implies, we don't currently make provision for foreign (at least non-EU) cars paying a spot of "tax" or similar it seems a bit silly. But ... one question ...
The petitioner says "The huge influx of vehicles using UK roads and adding to congestion and wear and tear". What huge influx? I mean, I know if you drive the nice route between Durham and Edinburgh (the A696, through Kielder Forest and via Jedburgh; instead of up the hideous, horrible A1 through Northumberland), you see an astonishing number of Dutch cars. And, indeed, on the border there, up at the very top, there are parking places which have signs at the exit reminding you, in several languages, to drive on the left. But still - what huge influx, exactly?
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