INT relaxes cabotage rules for twin peaks
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by istopher Walton A DECISION by the Department for Transport (DfT) to relax cabotage rules for car transporter firms during new number-plate peaks in March and September has been welcomed as a "victory for common sense" by a leading car transporter operator.
The industry has told the DfT that it relies on international subcontractors, as it isn't financially viable for UK car transporters to hold sufficient numbers of trailers all year round just to service the two peak periods.
EU Regulation 1072/2009 — which came into force on 14 May 2010 — included the rules governing cabotage, which limits foreignregistered goods vehicles to no more than three loaded operations within a seven-day period after their arrival in the UK.
But roads minister Stephen Hammond said that relaxing the rules and allowing car transporters from abroad to continue operating in the UK for longer would ensure that customers and dealerships are well prepared to meet demand at peak times.
Ray MacDowall, MD of car transporter ECM, told CM: "It's reassuring to know that the government has listened to the manufacturers and the transport industry on this issue, and more so that it has supported this initiative to ensure sufficient capacity during our peak periods.
"The regulations as they stand place unnecessary constraints on the efficiency of our operations. The news is a victory for common sense."
Nick Deal, Road Haulage Association car transporter group secretary, said he welcomes the decision to relax cabotage rules but does not want to see it extended to other sectors.
"This is about the car industry needing to get rid of two peaks, which is a bigger game than we can play," he explains.
The change will be in place for the 63 plate in September, not the forthcoming 13 plate in March.