What we are getting for our road tax!

[ferg f]

Is it just me or does it seem the road tax we all pay does absolutely nothing but fall short for what we should expect to get in return!

 

[BlueQuinn]

You ought to move. If you can actually get somewhere else on that road

Vehicle Excise Duty doesn't specifically pay for any roads, though it goes in to the general tax pot along with every thing else. Roads are paid for out of that general taxation, and local authority controlled roads out of Council tax and business rates.
You would think, therefore that the richer the local council the better the road would be, wouldn't you? So why does the 'deprived' London Borough of Tower Hamlets have miles of beautifully smooth tarmac yet most of the City of London roads, which ought to be the richest council in the land, are like driving on the surface of the moon?

 

[guydewdney]

Cos no one in TH has a car....

 

[Troon]

Vehicle Excise Duty doesn't specifically pay for any roads, though it goes in to the general tax pot along with every thing else. Roads are paid for out of that general taxation, and local authority controlled roads out of Council tax and business rates.

Wot he said. You haven't paid road tax since 1937. You pay a general tax to the country for the luxury of owning a motor vehicle.

That's why the "cyclists don't pay road tax" argument is flawed.

 

[Spinal]

Wot he said. You haven't paid road tax since 1937. You pay a general tax to the country for the luxury of owning a motor vehicle.

That's why the "cyclists don't pay road tax" argument is flawed.

It's not flawed. Cyclists should pay a general tax to the country for the luxury of owning a pedal vehicle.

I tend to report potholes to the council - https://www.gov.uk/report-pothole Once reported, it's on (virtual) paper. If they don't fix it, and you crack an alloy a few months later, it's ammunition in your bag...

M.

 

[ferg f]

You ought to move. If you can actually get somewhere else on that road

Luckily it's not my road.

 

[edstrom76]

It's not flawed. Cyclists should pay a general tax to the country for the luxury of owning a pedal vehicle.

I tend to report potholes to the council - https://www.gov.uk/report-pothole Once reported, it's on (virtual) paper. If they don't fix it, and you crack an alloy a few months later, it's ammunition in your bag...

M.

But it is, because i) presumably "cyclists don't pay road tax" should read "cyclists don't pay Vehicle Excise Duty" and ii) a lot of cyclists own a car hence are legally obliged to pay their fair share.

 

[markjay]

The moral rights or wrongs of taxing cyclists is a facinating subject, however given that it is as feasible as herding cats the entire discussion is purely academic.

How do you enforce it? Make every bicycle carry a number plate and tax disk and register it to it lawful owner? The beurocracy and administration involved are hugh and pointless at the same time.

I really don't think that what the police need right now is to start chasing 14 year olds on unlicensed bikes...

It simply can't be done, regardless of whether it's a good idea or nor not.

Furtheremore... the government and local councils are encouraging people to cycle instead of using cars. It is healthy, reduces congestion in cities, and reduces polution.

Taxing it and enforcing it through expensive and cumbersome administration like we have with cars, will send out the wrong message and will dramatically reduce use of bicycles.

No goverment in the land will survive taxing cyclists... they will be eaten alive by the Green lobby.

Perish the thought....