Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey has launched a petition for constituents to show their opposition to proposals to impose a toll on a new stretch of the A14 in Cambridgeshire.
The proposal for a toll of between £1 and £1.50 for cars and double that for lorries has provoked anger from the business community – especially hauliers – who see it as a tax on Suffolk.
Now Dr Coffey has launched the petition on her website – and is planning to deliver 20,000 petition leaflets in the Felixstowe and Woodbridge areas.
Completed petitions will be handed in to the House of Commons before the road is finally approved.
Dr Coffey said: “We all know we need improvements on the A14 and the £1.5bn upgrade is most welcome but it should not be singled out as the only road improvement scheme to have a toll.
“I don’t want the toll to have a detrimental effect on our businesses nor do I want to see Suffolk people having to pay to sort out the problems in Cambridge.
“It is important we show the Government the strength of feeling in Suffolk and with your help I will continue to press for a change of heart at the Treasury by presenting the petition to Parliament.”
Businesses in Suffolk are concerned that they will be hit disproportionately by the toll – especially hauliers travelling to and from Felixstowe Port.
Alternative toll-free routes will be too long or too slow to make economic sense, meaning that Felixstowe is the only port in Britain where hauliers are forced to pay a toll.
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