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P CABOTAGE

24th April 2008, Page 16
24th April 2008
Page 16
Page 16, 24th April 2008 — P CABOTAGE
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MEP says government needs tougher stance on cabotage

CONCERNS ARE GROWING that proposed changes to cabotage rules will result in more foreign operators choosing the UK as the place to carry out domestic haulage work, leading to a greater number of accidents and unfair competition.

Conservative MEP Timothy Kirkhope says the government is not adequately representing the views of the industry and is tailing to take a tough stance with the European Council on its plans to harmonise cabotage laws.

Kirkhope fears that allowing foreign drivers to make three deliveries in a seven-day period will have a "disastrous" effect on road safety and, because they pay no road tax, will undercut domestic operators.

Kirkhope insists: "The government is not representing the views of the industry" The Freight Transport Association's chief economist, Simon Chapman, says that without an adequate database of foreign operators, it will be almost impossible to enforce the 'three-in-seven' proposal.