An MP has backed the introduction of a levy on foreign hauliers for use of UK roads.

Up until now, UK hauliers have been required to pay a fee for use of road networks in European countries, while foreign lorries faced no charge upon entering the UK.

The HGV Road User Levy will allow authorities to impose an on-the-spot deposit of £300 on lorry drivers who have not paid the new levy before they are allowed to continue with their journey.

MP Steve Barclay sat on a dedicated committee to scrutinize a law implementing the charges on foreign lorries.

He said: “It is great news that this new rule requiring foreign drivers to pay for use of UK roads is now in the final stages of becoming law.

“It cannot be right that UK heavy goods vehicles travelling abroad face this charge while their foreign counterparts do not face comparable penalties.

“UK drivers should not have to pick up the bill for wear and tear of the roads regularly used by foreign drivers.

“Crucially, the levy will be tax neutral, meaning that the new charge will enable the Government to lower haulier taxes in the UK which will be a huge benefit to haulage and transport businesses in Cambridgeshire which is one of the biggest centres of the UK haulage industry in the country.

“The campaign for fairer rules has finally borne fruit, bringing this country into line with the charge on UK vehicles travelling to mainland Europe.

“Too often foreign vehicles manage to sidestep road use charges and even fuel duty and I have tabled a series of Questions in Parliament and lobbied Ministers since my election to parliament to flag the issue.”