Road Users in Northern Ireland demand to know how money is spent - Elliott
Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott MLA has demanded that the Department of Regional Development reveal how all the money that is raised annually through vehicle excise duty and fuel duties is spent on the improvement of our roads.
Tom said: “Recent figures reveal that the number of vehicles on our roads over the past 5 years has increased dramatically and the vehicle tax has been increased again in the recent budget. The number of vehicles on our roads has increased from 730, 730 in 2000 to 917,399 in 2005 and this equates to £135 million (vehicle excise duty) but at the same time, money spent on road maintenance and repairs had been reduced to £45m initially but later increased to £65 m in January 2007. This still falls far short of the recommended minimum spending of £75 m on repairs every year for the next ten years.
This will not have a major impact on addressing the many years of under investment in our roads infrastructure and only represents about half of the money raised through vehicle excise duty each year. We have now approached the point of an average of £1 per litre for petrol and the fact that 73% of the pump price on petrol is tax. Surely this illustrates that the motorist is not receiving a fair deal. Where does this money go?
A dynamic economy requires an efficient, accessible and modern transport system that is fit for the 21st century. It also needs to address the infrastructure deficits across Northern Ireland, particularly in the West of the Province. People in rural areas do not have rail links or the necessary bus networks to travel to work and hence the use of the car is a necessity. It should also be remembered that Northern Ireland is loosing approx £380m per year due to fuel smuggling and this will continue while there are disparities between Northern Ireland and the Republic. This figure could help build and improve many roads.”