HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20116, 29 November 1928, Page 12

HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES.

VARIATION SUGGESTED. INCLUDING LIGHTER VEHICLES. SPEED AND DAMAGE TO ROADS. Several matters it) ' connection with heavy traffic regulations wore discussed by tho Newmarket Dorough Council last evening. A letter was receiyed from tho Public Works Department requesting information as to tho working of tho regulations.

A report submitted by the town clerk and traffic inspector stated the owners of Heavy vehicles were asking tho Government to discontinue the regulations which permitted local bodies to charge heavy traffic licence fees. Tho department wished to know tho amount of fees received each year, and tho uso to which tho money had been put. In 1926 the fees amounted to £575, in 1927 to £602 and in 1928 to £578. Tho money had been used either in maintenance work or for tho purpose of meeting interest and sinking fund on loans for road construction purposes.

In reply to another question by tho department tho report stated tho damage caused to roads by heavy vehicles was considerably greater than that which would be caused by a number of ordinary motor-cars using tho same amount of petrol. Much damage was caused by a class of vehicle up to two tons laden, which at present did not pay fees. A heavier and moro costly class of road construction had undoubtedly been adopted as a direct result of tho uso of vehicles exceeding threo tons laden weight. The speed at which many of these heavy vehicles travelled, as well as tho typo of lyres attached, was a contributing factor.

There was a largo number of motor vehicles with a laden weight of between 15cwt. and one ton with both solid and pneumatic tyres. These vehicles traversed the roadway at a high speed and were not liable for heavy traffic fees. "We are of opinion that vehicles under two tons laden weight should coino within the scope of the regulations and be mado liable for heavy traffic fees," tho report concluded. "If this were dono it would enable a reduction in the fees paid by the heavier class of vehicle to which objection is now being made' by tlio owners." A recommendation that vehicles with a laden weight of two tons and under should be charged fees and that those payable on the heavier class of vehicle should be reduced was adopted. "We receive no money from the Main Highways Boar 3 nor from motor spirits taxation," the clerk said. "It would bo manifestly unfair if heavy traffic fees were to disappear."

, ABOLITION OPPOSED. NORTIICOTE COUNCIL'S VIEWS. In the opinion of the Northcoto Borough Council the present system of collection by local bodies of heavy traffic licence fees should continue, unless somo equivalent compensation is provided for the loss of revenue tho abolition ol licence fees would entail. Information as to the local position is being forwarded to Mr. F. W. Furkcrt, engineer-in-chicf to tho Public Works Department, in view of tho conference to be held shortly of representatives of all parties concerned throughout the Dominion. The amounts received by Northcoto from the Auckland City Council, which collects between Mercer and Helensville. and distributes tho fees to the respective districts on tho basis of 50 per cent, population and 50 per cent, capital value, hava been :—To March 31, 1926, £2B; 1927, £683; 1928. £322; and for nino mouths of 1929, £293. Tho fees enabled a better class road to bo constructed and maintained. The petrol-tax was largely used to subsidise main highways, but other revenue was required for the upkeep of all other streets and roads liable to damage by heavy traffic, which justified the continuance of heavy traffic licence fees. The heavy vehicle caused greater damage on such roads than would a number of ordinary cars using the same amount of petrol. A heavier class of road construction had been adopted than would have been necessary if the loaded weight of any vehicle did not exceed three tons.