WIRRAL South MP Ben Chapman has welcomed the announcement by the DVLA that Merseyside Police along with their colleagues in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Lancashire, were joining forces in a clampdown against road tax dodgers.

Motorists who evade paying their road tax are to be targeted in a campaign.

Said Ben Chapman MP: "Nationally I believe £184 million was lost in 1997/98 from non payment of Vehicle Excise Duty. I hope the present campaign will help to bring that loss down. Initially motorists will be encouraged to ensure their vehicles are taxed. From March 15, the police will intensify their enforcement and the DVLA will step up its existing wheelclamping/impounding operation.

"Honest, law abiding motorists have nothing to fear. Those penalised will not be motorists whose tax disc has fallen off the windscreen or are a few days late in renewing their tax but the hardcore of tax dodgers who continually evade paying. The vast majority of motorists are fed up with that minority who deliberately evade their responsibility. I would encourage everyone who does not have a valid tax disc to ensure they relicense their vehicles immediately."

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