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Hauliers in Scotland face different challenges from the rest of
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the UK, with rocketing fuel prices and fewer opportunities to shop around for diesel in rural areas.
The Road Haulage Association warns that issues like long distances between fuel stops and the price of fuel creates special problems for hauliers North of the border. The association has commissioned a separate study focusing on Scottish issues as part of its latest research project, Fair Play on Fuel: Towards Parity with Europe.
Phil Flanders, RHA regional director for Scotland, says: "Fuel prices in Scotland are higher than anywhere else—diesel can be up to 20p/lit more expensive. Obviously in the more remote areas you also have less opportunity to shop around."
The results of the study, carried out independently by the Centre for Economics and Business Research in London, are due to be released at the end of the month.
Report author Professor Douglas McWilliams says: "We have not completed the analysis yet, but on the face of it these issues seem to stand up." However, he points out that hauliers in Scotland may also be likely to face less direct competition from Europe, adding: "We are investigating at the moment."