Some early Budget views
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THREE HAULIERS from the Rochdale area went to London on Tuesday to lobby local MPs and David Tripper, the small businesses Minister. And they are going to continue to fight for a fair deal for hauliers after the Budget.
Terry Duggan of Rochdale Freighter told CM: "We're not going to let Nigel Lawson off the hook just because the Budget's passed."
But the hauliers are taking practical steps to save their businesses by cutting costs. Prompted by the 17pc rise in dery already this year, they are to set up a co-operative for bulk buying of diesel and other basic supplies.
Mr Duggan got the idea after talking to Dave Allen, managing director of the Winchester based Roads co-operative.
Artic hauliers generally and international hauliers particularly have welcomed the decision to hold ved on artics at the pre-Budget level. RHA international group chairman Russ Peters noted that Mr Lawson had taken the advice of the Transport Secretary.
An increase in ved on artics in line with inflation would have added £3 to £4 on a round trip to Italy and reduced the competitiveness of British hauliers with their Continental rivals.
Roads managing director Dave Allen welcomed the abolition of land development tax, which he said would benefit operators working in the construction industry.
Sam Newton, managing director of Gilbraith Commercials and head of the Leyland Trucks dealer group was shocked when he heard of the tax on heavy rigids, traditionally Leyland's strongest market.
The rise in tax on 16 tonners could lead TNT Overnite to specify more 12 tonners for collection and delivery work in this year's vehicle replacement programme, said general manager James Wilson.