French diesel cost cut further in '99
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• Cash-strapped UK hauliers will not be impressed by news that from the start of next year their French counterparts will be paying 10% less for their diesel. The French have secured the concession from their Government after years of campaigning for essential user rebates.
They have complained they have been left uncompetitive against hauliers in other EU countries who pay less duty.
Frank Stears of Kent-based Frank Steam Haulage, who is a prominent member of the fuel duty campaign group TransAction, says the French move should inspire greater efforts by the 1..7K haulage industry to win similar essential user rebates from the UK Government. "The need to lobby Parliament and MPs as quickly and as early as possible is even more important now," he says.
Road Haulage Association director-general Steven Norris says the news of the French rebate has been passed on to Government. "We are awaiting a response," he says.