Freight bosses have commissioned a strategic review of government plans for lorry road user charging.

The Freight Transport Association has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers to carry out the review to look into the costs of introducing and running a system of lorry road user charging under the government suggestion.

It will also look at any benefits the scheme might bring, and where they might come from.

During 2004, there was growing scepticism over the scheme. Richard Turner, FTA chief executive said: “The introduction of lorry road user charging will set the rules on how industry pays its annual fuel tax bill of £4 billion for decades to come.

“It is absolutely vital that we get it right and that we produce a scheme which will be both practical to operate and financially fair.

That is why, on behalf of the transport industry, FTA is asking leading consultants to independently evaluate both the potential costs and the potential benefits of the scheme.”

The first report from PwC will be made to the next meeting of the FTA National Council to be held on January 25.