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Green light for road haulage

1st January 2004, Page 18
1st January 2004
Page 18
Page 18, 1st January 2004 — Green light for road haulage
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A green group praising haulage? Guy Sheppard reports on a welcome change

A GREEN PRESSURE group has given the haulage industry qualified praise after its environmental achievements were highlighted in a government report.

The Department for Transport's Transport Rends 2003 shows that just over 25% of goods vehicles are now running empty,compared with over 30% 20 years ago.

And particulate emissions from diesel engines have slumped from a peak of 65,000 tonnes a year in the 1980s to 39,000 tonnes a year despite, a 69% increase in road freight since 1980.

Steve Hounsham, spokesman for the Transport 2000 pressure group, says: "Empty running and pollution are charges that have been made against the road freight industry so it's time for a small pat on the back."

But he adds that there is still plenty of scope for reducing the environmental impact of haulage.

The DIT report appears to allay fears that traffic congestion is deteriorating rapidly, saying there has been no significant change in aver age speeds on urban roads outside London since 1993.

It adds that fewer people are now concerned about congestion on this part of the road network but adds that this may be partly due to a change in the way public attitudes are assessed.

The Freight Transport Association warns that by 2010 the cost of congestion will have grown by £3.6bn a year.


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