Clydebank EZ a threat?
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SCOTTISH hauliers are campaigning against haulage or warehousing companies being allowed to set up business in the enterprise zone planned for Clydebank, near Glasgow.
Road Haulage Association Scottish secretary Tom Brattin has sought assurances from the Scottish Development Department that haulage and warehousing companies be excluded from the Clydebank EZ, saying that the ten-year rate and tax concessions would give them an unfair advantage over businesses in other areas. But the SDD's Scottish Economic Planning Department said this would fly in the face of the whole concept of an EZ, as the Government wants to lift a sufficient number of restrictions in order to encourage new business activity in depressed areas.
The RHA is concerned tha1 operators just outside the area will be unable to compete with Clydebank-based businesses when the EZ gives them exemption from development land tax, 100 per cent capital allowance for corporation and income tax purposes, rates exemption, and cheap rents.
Mr Brattin said that new operators based in Clydebank could have a disastrous effect on any established haulier, certainly in the Glasgow area, if not in the West of Scotland, and he is devoting his efforts now to prevent Clydebank District Council from allowing any to start up.
He told CM that similar problems were experienced in Irvine new town, where three new operators took advantage of two-year freedom from restrictions, and "caused havoc" for established operators, before going out of business.