More building gloom
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In Demand for haulage . in the construction sector is set to take another dive this year, according to figures released last week.
More owner-drivers will be forced out of business as ail-in-actors and building materia firms reduce their rates and cut back on deliveries, says Mick Binns, general-secretary of the National Owner Drivers Association.
Commenting on construction industry forecasts of a 3% decline in output, Binns says: "Drivers are hit by a doubleedged sword. If the work is not there they are not delivering or earning. And some of the less
sympathetic firms will reduce their haulage rates which they are entitled to do under their contracts."
Binns believes the number of owner-drivers working in the construction industry has fallen by more than 25% during the past three years.
"Barely a day goes by without someone ringing us up asking us what to do because they are on the verge of going under," says Binns. "My advice is to dump your truck and walk away from it—it's not worth risking your home over the peanuts being paid at the moment," he says.
This grim line is backed up by hauliers still working in the construction industry. A spokesman for Matlock-based J and D Allsop says: "All our work is in this area and it's been in a rut for more than two years. We are all looking for good news, so forecasts like this aren't exactly what we want to hear."