Minister
discusses EU Roadworthiness Directive with FBHVC
Mr
Hammond met East Yorkshire MP Greg Knight, chair of the All
Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group along with John
Cryer MP, treasurer of the group, and officers of the Federation
of British Historic Vehicles Clubs at the minister's office
in the House of Commons to discuss concerns about the proposed
new EU Roadworthiness Directive.
Pictured, left to right are: David Hurley (legislation director,
FBHVC), David Whale (chairman of the FBHVC), Transport Minister
Stephen Hammond MP, APPHVC chairman Greg Knight MP, APPHVC treasurer
John Cryer MP, and Geoff Smith (vice-president, FBHVC).
David Whale is a longstanding MG Car Club member.
The
Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs works closely with
a wide range of organisations and government departments to
retain the freedom to use historic vehicles on the UK's roads.
The FBHVC has over 500 organisations as members representing
over 255,000 individual owners.
Posted:
121214
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Transport
Minister Stephen Hammond has met with historic vehicle
campaigners to discuss the proposed European Roadworthiness
Directive. There
are widespread concerns that requiring older cars
to be in a largely 'original' state could mean that
vehicles with up-rated brakes or an overdrive unit
fitted to the gearbox could fall foul of the new
rules.
At the meeting the Minister revealed that great
progress had been made in the EU discussions,
which are on-going, and that he was now more optimistic.
He was confident that there will be sufficient latitude
in the EU wording to allow the UK to adopt a reasonable
and wide interpretation of the rules, so as not
to impinge on the use and enjoyment of historic
vehicles in the UK. "It
was a very positive meeting and the minister clearly
has the interests of the classic car owners at the
forefront of his mind in these negotiations",
Greg Knight said afterwards. David Whale, chairman
of FBHVC, added: "Our meeting with the minister
was indeed very positive. Mr Hammond is taking a
personal and pro-active position in the negotiations
with the EU and clearly wishes to achieve a successful
outcome for the owners of historic vehicles".
The original draft legislation was proposed by the
EU Commission as the EU Roadworthiness Regulation
but the EU Presidency has proposed that the status
of the legislation be changed to a Directive,
giving Member States the freedom to choose how the
legislation will be incorporated into their laws.
That
was a key development.
See the latest report on
the European Roadworthiness concern from the recent
FBHVC newsletter. More |
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