Impounding is set out for bill amendment
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• Industry feeders are increasingly confident that vehicle impounding legislation will be on the statute books by the end of the next parliamentary session.
Transport Minister Gus Macdonald told delegates at last week's Industry Forum that the Government is "committed to legislation to allow the impounding of the vehicles of illegal operators".
This, he predicted, will help reduce over-capacity in the industry, which is exacerbated by hauliers who operate below acceptable standards.
Freight Transport Association director-general David Green expects impounding to be included as an amendment to the recently published Transport Bill.
The wording on the bill to "make provision about transport" is deliberately vague to invite additional suggestions from both Houses of
Parliament. "We are disappointed that it's not in the Transport Bill but the Government might create another way for the clause to be introduced," says Green.
"You can introduce amendments and we have some ground for optimism that it may get added to the bill during the course of the parliamentary session," he adds.
Road Haulage Association national chairman John Bridge says: "This time round there is every intent from Macdonald to get it [impounding] through."
This follows Conservative transport spokesman Earl Attiee's promise to introduce a private member's bill if no amendments are added to the Transport Bill. Last week Attlee told CH "It 6 a priority for me. We need it because unfair and illegal competition means everyone is having to sail very close to the wind."