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NO CHANCE TO COMPETE
Page 26
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I enquired about a load today being offered by a UK firm from London E16 to Area 72 in France—a total of 378 miles. I would have thought it reasonable to expect £1 per mile plus ferry costs for the load, but the rate was £290. Once you have paid the ferry you are left with £120. which equates to 32p per mile.
When the government liberalised domestic road haulage to non-resident operators in July 1998 it stated: "This is unlikely to result in any substantial increase in competition from foreign hauliers."
However, when this is combined with their policy of annual fuel increases of "at least 6% on average above inflation", and the policy of not imposing road tolls on foreign hauliers or taxation on their vehicles, the increase in competition has been incalculable. Unless the government intervenes the UK haulage industry will follow so many others in Britain and will gradually decline into non-existence.
Lisa Dolan, Transport manager, BT Cullum & Son, Tiptree, Essex.