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Time hauliers were shown proper respect for the vital role they play

26th June 2008, Page 20
26th June 2008
Page 20
Page 20, 26th June 2008 — Time hauliers were shown proper respect for the vital role they play
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

THE TRANSPORT industry, in whatever guise, is the UK's largest industry. It is the biggest contributor to the Government's coffers. We are the backbone to this country. Yet we are still not respected. We, as an industry, are paying more and more tax, and the biggest burden is fuel duty.

The public complain about us on the roads for the speeds we do, going on about fuel casts etc. But they are also the first to complain when their goods don't turn up. I believe that something needs to be done about this.

We should make people stop and listen to us. As fuel price rises, we get squeezed, and the costs, as far as possible, get passed on to our customers, and, in turn, to theirs.

Until we receive full public backing, the Government will not listen. They may agree with what we are saying, but they will not do anything, because, at the end of the day, they will lose money.

To ease the effect of the credit crunch, the best way is to reduce costs. Therefore, lower fuel duty to the transport industry, which, in turn, will lower prices.

Every day, different-size haulage firms are going to the wall as the market become less viable on a daily basis. We are suffering also from an influx of foreign competition on our own soil — we just can't compete at today's prices. Soon this industry will go the same way as call centres, to be competitive we will have to outsource the transport role to a different country.

Our industry takes a beating from anyone and everyone, but it's time we all stood up and made a stand. The only way we could do this effectively is for every HGV to park up for 48 hours during the week.

For this to work, all companies would have to stand united from the largest to the smallest, so the Government and the general public realises what would happen if there were no trucks. If the fuel prices continue to rise, that is what will happen... The transport industry, the end.

Jim Bieber By e-mail

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