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P POLITICS
Page 14
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Lib Dem questions uncover rise in transport insolvencies
i.3y David Hams COMPANY 1NSOLVENCIES in the road transport sector rose sharply in 2008, it was confirmed in Parliament last week.
The figures emerged after a series of questions tabled by Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker, who tells CM that one of the aims was to make sure Liberal Democrat transport policy for the next election reflected recent trends.
The figures, which are certain to have got much worse in 2009, showed there were 377 road transport business liquidations in 2008. compared with 329 in 2005 — the last year for which directly comparable figures are available.
The number of road transport businesses — including hauliers and passenger transport — to cease trading fell to 4,505 in 2008 (2007: 4,575). while the number of businesses being set up ("business births") also fell from 4,870 in 2007 to 4,375 in 2008, according to answers supplied by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Baker additionally asked how many accidents on UK roads involved foreign-registered vehicles. All accidents have fallen year by year since 2005, hut, in 2008. there were 836 accidents involving foreign registered vehicles and 7,644 involving those which were registered at home.
The number of miles travelled by UKregistered goods vehicles of 12 tonnes and over fell in 2008 to 11.1 billion, against 11.7 billion in 2007 The 2008 figure was the lowest since 2004, when it was also 11.1 billion.
Baker adds that the Liberal Democrats are committed to a policy of making sure foreign operators "pay their way" on UK roads. Its transport policy will also contain a commitment to road user pricing.