NEW port charges for commercial vehicles driving into Southampton could damage the Isle of Wight economy, Red Funnel has warned.

Yesterday Southampton City Council launched a consultation on plans to bill commercial vehicles operating in the city, including buses and heavy goods vehicles, up to £100 a day.

The plans also include charging taxis up to £12.50. Vans and cars would be exempt from the charge.

The plans are aimed at reducing air pollution in the city. The cash collected by the city council will be used to fund clean air initiatives.

However, Red Funnel said the move would drive business away from Southampton, and could negatively impact the Isle of Wight.

A Red Funnel spokesperson said: “Red Funnel is supportive of the commitment to improve air quality for everyone in Southampton but believes the current rate at which road users are switching to less polluting vehicles, and learning not to idle their engines unnecessarily, will enable the city to achieve the target of less than 40 micrograms of nitrogen dioxide per cubic air metre by 2020.

“Any charge levied on non-Euro 6 compliant commercial vehicles will simply divert traffic bound for the Isle of Wight to ports further away, producing more emissions. It will also have a negative impact on the economies of Southampton and the Isle of Wight, risking both jobs and future investment.”