Failed UK haulier blames blockades
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by Miles Brignall • Ely-based UN European Transport has gone into voluntary liquidation, blaming the impact of French and Spanish strikes and spiralling fuel costs.
Fifty drivers were laid off last week after the owner of the firm. Bruce Robertson, decided it was no longer sustainable.
The Cambridgeshire company specialised in hauling dry goods, mostly to Spain and France. It had 80", of its fleet trapped in France during the strike and another 12 trucks caught in Spanish blockades. "The fact that we spent so long stranded on roadsides eventual ly took its it says Robertson.
The company has £60,000 worth of strike compensation claims outstanding.
UK European had only been trading for a year; it took over ano:'ler on-named international firm a few months ago. Robertson says his bank suddenly reduced the company's overdraft by a third at the time when he most needed it: "They were happy to help us while all was well, but as soon as things became difficult it all changed."
The company was also hit by losses due to the collapse of Eagle Freight, which owes it money, and the ever-increasing cost of fuel. "The Government has got to wake up to the fact that running a haulage company is so much cheaper on the Continent," says Robertson.
A creditors' meeting is to be called over the next few days, when a liquidator is expected to be appointed.
Liverpool operator Dickson Haulage has also gone into voluntary liquidation—a creditors' meeting will be held in due course.