>> I believe that the take on Vehicle taxes is far more than the expenditure on
>> roads. It used to be known as Road Tax, until more money went into the
>> exchequer.
>>
>> Means that road users pay into the general taxation, which, among other things, goes to
>> subsidise the railways.
>>
>> I'm not indicating that this is a bad thing, but I can't see how comparing
>> a susidised railway, with a road network financed by it's users is a reasonable argument.
The 'Road Fund' existed until the twenties when it was abolished by Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr WS Churchill. Since then road tax has simply been a charge on the pleasure and convenience of a vehicle and gone into the general pot. Fuel duty no longer 'belongs' to motorists than alcohol duty does to drinkers or tobacco duty to smokers.
There was a suggestion during the May government that the 'Road Fund' might be re-established but I don't think anything happened.
The Treasury has always hated hypothecation and may well have shot the Transport Minister's goose.
Like it or not roads are maintained by the taxpayer. Central government for the Motorways and Trunk network, local councils for the rest.
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