The review has been commissioned by the FTA following the decision of its National Council in October 2004 to conduct a 'root and branch' review of the potential operation of the scheme before final contractual commitments with scheme suppliers were entered into by Government and ultimately placed upon lorry operators as users.

The review by PwC focuses on the likely costs of introducing and running a system of lorry road user charging along the lines envisaged by the Government.  It also considers the value of any benefits resulting from lorry road user charging and where those benefits will accrue.

During 2004 there was growing scepticism among road freight operators of the merits of the prospective scheme.

FTA Chief Executive Richard Turner says, "The introduction of lorry road user charging will set the rules on how industry pays its annual fuel tax bill of £4 billion for decades to come. It is absolutely vital that we get it right and that we produce a scheme which will be both practical to operate and financially fair. That is why, on behalf of the transport industry, FTA is asking leading consultants to independently evaluate both the potential costs and the potential benefits of the scheme."

The first report from PwC will be made to the next meeting of the FTA National Council to be held on 25 January.

Freight Transport Association