There has been much talk about the cost of fuel. There
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U have been many objections from the transport
industry to the fuel escalator. There have been many transport companies going bust. There are people very worried about whether they can afford to continue in business—so just what are the possibilities?
CL to realign current '--' 'cl government spending.
,x And the alternatives to thIsP Well, there aren't any
because this method of raising loot is a godsend and, best of ail, is accepted by Joe Public. We in the transport industry have not got , the choice—there is a limit to how many mpg you can improve
5 when you are pulling 20 tonnes behind you. With the environment in 5 1_ mind, the government has swelled its treasure chest through the
introduction of the landfill tax and yet more fuel taxation—next will be the aggregate tax. It is just too easy and the public, the voter, does not really understand or effectively object.
The only way to survive at present is to be able to offer the customer more than just haulage If our own company had not diversified into waste disposal, and if we had continued to transport other people's material around the country, then we would have died. Only companies having "added value—specialist services, warehousing facilities or a railhead—stand a chance of being able to sustain the threat of a negative bottom line.
Make no mistake, the government will not alter its views on the success of taxation by stealth; there is too much dosh at stake. Instead let us look at future legislation changes and our courage for a new direction and new possibilities.
The trade associations with their expert knowledge may now have brought about the death of the fuel escalator. However, the current price of fuel still contains sufficient taxation to swell Gordon Brown's swag bag.
If current market forces are left alone, then more Continental traffic will still move in to service the movements and no one will be that upset. After all, prosperity has been brought about recently by the Nissans, the Toyotas and the influx of other foreign-based manufacturing competition.
It is time we took stock, recognised the new direction is unstoppable and acted afresh in our own best interests. Let us take our transportable skills elsewhere. By bike, perhaps, and with the wind behind us!
Many readers will already be aware of the actions taken by the
Trans-Action group. This group was formed by 20 Kent-based hauliers immediately after the 5.5p/litre increase on diesel in the last Budget. This, and the lifting of cabotage
restrictions on 1 July, was the final nail in our coffin. We decided enough was enough!