by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The county council has demanded that revenue from a foreign lorry toll should be invested in Kent infrastructure.

The county bears the brunt of trucks entering the country, with around nine out of 10 coming through Kent ports.

Most do not spend anything in the county - filling up with lower-priced diesel on the Continent - while UK hauliers face charges on the other side of the Channel.

Kent County Council has long campaigned for a lorry tax and welcomed Transport Secretary Patrick McLaughlin’s announcement of a proposed £10-a-day levy, which could amount to £1,000 a year.

But KCC Leader Paul Carter is demanding assurances that money generated by the scheme will be injected in Kent’s roads and other major transport projects.

They include a proposed lorry park when Operation Stack turns the M20 into giant lorry park, a third Thames Crossing, and improvements to the A2/M2 and M20.

Cllr Carter said: “We created the scheme to charge foreign lorries for using Kent’s roads a number of years ago. At the moment they contribute nothing to the damage they cause. A significant amount of money can now be raised.

“But this additional income must be invested in maintaining and improving our road network. Kent currently suffers all the disadvantages of being the UK’s main transport corridor to Europe but enjoys none of the benefits.

"We want assurances that the extra revenue generated by lorry charging goes to fixing the damage caused by foreign trucks.”

The toll will vary according to a vehicle’s size and could raise up to £20m a year.

Mr McLoughlin said: “These proposals will deliver a vital shot in the arm to the UK haulage industry.

"It is simply not right that foreign lorries do not pay to use our roads, when our trucks invariably have to fork out when travelling to the continent.

"By introducing charges we will create a level playing field, increasing UK competitiveness and boosting growth.”