Transport companies say road tolls imposed on heavy goods vehicles travelling across the Emirates are forcing them to hike their prices to customers.

Haulage firms told Al Roeya the costly road charges - which vary depending on the weight of the load carried by each vehicle - are heaping extra pressure on businesses.

Seven heavy goods vehicle toll gates are in place in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Sharjah.

One manager, Diauddin Mohammed, whose company is based in Ras Al Khaimah, said a lorry with an 80-tonne capcity has to pay a Dh17 toll fee each time it travels through a gate, placing an extra strain on finances.

Haitham Al Zaghloul, chief executive of a building materials transport company, said that each truck is required to pay a fee each time they pass a tollgate, even if the truck passes several gates in the same emirate.

“Toll gates located near quarries and at the entrance of each main road in the country has increased the cargo transportation fees by 90 per cent,” said Mr Al Zaghloul.

He said Al Zubair gate in Sharjah, located towards the entrance of Emirates Road, charges Dh420 for lorries carrying 80 tonnes, and Dh220 for six-wheel lorries carrying 30 tons.

Al Roeya requested comment from authorities responsible for operating the toll gates, but received no response at the time of publication.

In 2010, the first truck tollgate was introduced in Al Dhaid area in Sharjah. Heavy lorry drivers passing through the gate were charged Dh100.