by political editor Paul Francis

A "duty free" zone could be created around Dover, offering hauliers and other drivers cheaper fuel as they leave the UK.

Kent County Council chiefs say they want to examine the idea of a loyalty card for lorry drivers and other motorist to use to buy fuel at reduced rates within a set time.

They believe the scheme could raise an extra £415m in revenue for the Treasury – instead of the industry filling the coffers of the French government.

Brian MacDowall, secretary of the Kent branch of the Association of British Drivers, said: "The price of fuel is so exorbitant at the moment - it is criminally high and it is hurting people.

"People are really having to think seriously about whether or not they can afford to travel by road.

"It is the entire economy you want stimulated, not just one section.

"This might help people who travel in and out of the Port of Dover, but that still leaves a large percent of the country that wouldn't take any benefits.

"Hauliers do need the relief, but it would be better to stimulate the entire economy and get people travelling again.

"The obvious answer is to have a drastic reduction in fuel duty and stimulate the economy.

"The vast majority of people travel by road and they are being priced off it."

Fuel tax is just 36p per litre in France and 28p per litre in Luxembourg, compared to 58p per litre here.

As a result, many foreign truckers fill up before entering Britain without needing to refill until they return home. British hauliers often do likewise when they are abroad.

KCC leader Cllr Paul Carter said: "They don’t contribute a penny to Britain but are a burden on our roads. You’ve got to bring the duty down to a competitive level with France and Luxembourg."

He added: "At the moment all vehicles leaving the UK run on vapours - empty tanks - and fill up when they get to France, or Heavy Goods Vehicles fill up in Luxembourg, where diesel is much cheaper.

"Our suggestion is to have duty free-er zone, with a lower duty, at the port of entry to incentivise people to fill up in this country instead of mainland Europe.

"This would contribute somewhere between £500million and a £1billion paid into the Treasury coffers.

He believes the scheme, which is being considered by ministers, would be a "win-win" for lorry drivers and the government.

But the Road Haulage Association, which represents British hauliers, was skeptical the idea could work.

A spokesman said: "If something is to be effective, it has to be effective for everyone. In a perfect world, it would be a great idea but it just would not work.

"We saw the impact of panic buying last week – if you are a garage selling at a cheaper rate, how are you going to keep stocked up? You would need deliveries three or four times a day."

She added that there could be issues with Customs and Excise. "I am pretty sure it is something they would want to take a look at."

Around 5,700 lorries travel through Dover ports every day.

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