Hauliers cry foul over port surcharge
Transport companies fear massive cost increases if others follow Felixstowe's lead. By Roland Gribben
Port authorities and transport operators are pressing the Government to clear up uncertainties about the financing of road and rail improvements needed to avoid raising the cost of imports and moving goods around the country.
A surcharge of £5.50 imposed by the Hutchison Wampum-owned Port of Felixstowe on each container arriving at the East Anglian complex has brought cries of protest from shippers and hauliers. They fear it could set a precedent for other ports and airports seeking to recover transport investment dictated by changes in government policy.
Felixstowe has introduced the surcharge to recoup the £85m investment in rail and road links tied to a £240m expansion of the port. The Government approved the programme on condition Felixstowe gave a commitment to fund the transport improvements before work starts on a project that will increase the port's capacity by 50 per cent.
The rail network will be expanded as far north as Doncaster and local roads widened to accommodate an increase in lorry traffic.
Chris Lewis, the port's chief executive, has told importers that Felixstowe had no option because the Government used a 2004 policy change to get the port to foot the bill for the infrastructure rather than the taxpayer. With ports queuing up for approval to expand facilities for bigger container ships, customers are apprehensive that others will follow Felixstowe's lead.
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