Economists trace the freight level
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A SLOW rise in the output of British industry could lead to a gradual improvement in the levels of freight being carried on Britain's roads says an economists' report out this week.
And among the best prospects for the future are movements between Britain and the Continent, and movements to Britain's ports for shipment overseas.
The report says that the growth of international traffic over the last few years has been marked, and contrasts with the state of the other sectors of the industry which have been in decline.
On rising road costs and taxes the economists see no surprises. Rises were predicted by the Government's Green Paper on Transport published last year and they say that further rises can be expected next year.
This prediction falls in line with calls in the latest pronouncement on transport from the House of Commons Select Committee on Nationalised Industries for further taxation to be imposed on vehicle operators.
Labour costs depend on the level of wage restraint agreed by the unions as part of Phase Three of the Pay Code, but the economists concede that whatever the level agreed for Phase Three, it is likely to be flexible.