by Myron Jobson
A West Midlands MEP has vowed to battle the unpopular European Union’s caravan MOT proposal when the matter comes before Parliament.
The EU Parliament’s transport and tourism committee approved draft legislation which, if passed, could see caravans weighing 750kg and over having to go for regular MOT-style tests
MEP Nikki Sinclaire said: “I agree with the position of the Caravan Club, and others, that this is, indeed, a flawed proposal. When this matter comes before Parliament, I shall vote against the proposal.
Sinclaire has reportedly been inundated with emails from people concerned about the EU proposals.
She is not the only MEP to voice her concerns. Jacqueline Foster MEP, a spokeswoman for Transport and Tourism in the European Parliament, made her view public in August.
“I have spent many months objecting to the inclusion of caravans in this proposed regulation. I believe it to be pointless and it would contribute nothing to improve road safety,” she said.
Sinclaire believes that it’s up to politicians in Westminster rather than “faceless bureaucrats in Brussels” to devise policy on caravans when appropriate.
“Road safety is something that concerns us all but this proposed EU legislation is inappropriate and it has other aspects – including the possibility of increased taxation – that make it unacceptable,” she added.
