Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ray White]

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/germany-passes-disputed-autobahn-toll-185746596.html#4EyQOZO

Hardly in the spirit of the E.U.?

[Riley Blue]

It's entirely in the spirit of the EU as it's an emissions tax, something that's already charged on all cars, including foreign registered ones, if you want to drive into many German cities.

"Drivers of German and foreign-registered cars are to pay tolls on highways and country roads from 2016, but Germans are be reimbursed through a cut in their motor vehicle tax.
The toll badge will cost up to 130 euros a year, depending on a car's age, engine size and emissions, while drivers of foreign-registered cars can buy 10-day or two-month badges."
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

[Ray White]

Everything is hunky Dory then.

[Penguin45]

Switzerland has had this system for years.

P45.
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'67 Wolseley MkI 18/85, '70 Austin MkII 1800 The Landcrab Forum.

[Ray White]

[ukdave2002]

Whilst I understand the German frustration, as we have a simular thing in the UK with foreign lorries pounding our roads, probably also having bought fuel outside of the UK!! I would argue that a EU country can't be selective about the taxation laws it likes and those it doesn't ! You must take the rough with the smooth?

Dave

[Ray White]

Even if Britain were to leave the E.U. we would still want 'free trade' agreements with European countries. This would presumably extend to transport as well.?

Whether our politicians can be trusted to deliver such agreements is a moot point.

[ukdave2002]

[Ray White]

I don't think you are being naive, Dave. At least you realise when you are being conned which a lot of people don't!

The next big con will be the "re negotiation" of Britain's "relationship" with the E.U. We get thrown a few scraps and it's made to look like the best thing since the E type Jag.

[OuBallie]

Ray,
I'm waiting for the announcement that that promise was only an aspiration and the 'In-Out' vote one kicked into the long grass, with innumerable excuses.
I believe politicians of course

Geoff - Like I do my dentist when told 'It's only going to hurt a little'
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Too many hobbies, not enough time!
1935 Austin Seven Ruby ARQ
1957 Austin A35 2-door
1967 Morris Minor 2-door
2007 Fiat Doblò MultiJet (It carries the spares etc)
Model Engineering

[Bitumen Boy]

It'll be "after the next election" again. I'm amazed that people still seem to be falling for that old chestnut...

[Ray White]

[ukdave2002]

[Ray White]

You may think I am of guilty of exaggeration and generalisation; in truth I can only speak for myself but many people these days feel that our Country is incapable of political independence and that a break with the E.U. would mean economic disaster for us.

I disagree with that view. I voted to stay out of what was then called the ''common market" not because I had some prophetic vision of the Federal States of Europe; a fate that is now inevitable according to various treaties, but because I did not want to loose our National Identity as an independent trading Nation. Had the Country realised at the time the true nature of what was to come, I have no doubt we would not have joined. We were misled by Politicians like the late Roy Jenkins into believing that we were voting to join a trading block and nothing more; lies that he and others later tried to distance themselves from.

It has become clear to me that the EU is a corrupt and malign organisation with powerful vested interests and that what passes for 'National Pride' these days is essentially superficial flag waving. I feel our National Identity has been watered down and that if we continue in the direction we are going, Britain will cease to exist as a Country, save by name alone.

Apologies for 'drifting' the thread but when you get on opposite lock you just have to go with it!

[lowdrag]

In this context may I mention the Dartford crossing? I arrived with no knowledge that the tolls had been changed and just drove across. I've since done it three times with no follow-up from the UK authorities and the loss of revenue from foreign traffic must be enormous. But in another way this is like protectionism, slapping taxes on foreign goods so the reply tit for tat. We all know that this has nowt to do with emissions, just ripping us off a bit more, that's all.