German quota up by 10pc
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A TEN PER CENT increase in the West German bilateral permit quota has been agreed for this year, but neither Transport Secretary Nicholas Ridley nor the transport industry is satisfied that this is enough.
The increase from 20,300 to 22,500 takes the quota halfway to the 25,000 figure for which British negotiators were asking. Mr Ridley, welcoming the "small increase", said he would not be satisfied until there is complete liberalisation.
This year's deal also ensures that companies which provide backloads for German hauliers making transit journeys across West Germany, principally to Austria, will qualify for an additional permit for their own use.
In future, operators using road/rail piggyback services will be allocated two, rather than one, permit.
West German authorities have also agreed that special authori sation will cease to be demanded from later this year if operators run 15.5m articulated combinations in its territory, as the existing 15m length limit is being replaced then by the 1 5.5m limit that applies in Britain.
Operators already holding German permits will be contacted direct by the International Road Freight Office at Newcastle Upon Tyne, and new firms are being recommended to contact IRFO direct.