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WTD draft 'this week'

28th October 2004
Page 7
Page 7, 28th October 2004 — WTD draft 'this week'
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TRANSPORT SECRETARY Alistair Darling has promised that hard-pressed operators will see the final draft of the WorkingTime Directive consultation by the end of the week.

The draft is expected to confirm that the government wants to maximise flexibility within the scope of the regulations, particularly in the area of periods of availability. This position is sure to infuriate the unions, who see it as diluting the WTD's aims.

Speaking at the Freight Transport Association's annual dinner Darling said: "In April we provided a clear indication of how we will work towards implementing the directive and we will publish draft regulations and guidance this week."

The regulations are somewhat delayed however; they were due to be published back in June.

However. James Hookham of the FTA does not believe the delay will pose too much of a problem:"I think it's all over bar the shouting there will be one or two minor tweaks but there should be no major surprises.

"There's been a fair bit of reaction to this from the unions so I think that demonstrates that we won some important concessions.

"The periods of availability issue is a win/win situation for drivers and employers. If the unions think otherwise, they should talk to their members lots of drivers are worried about their wages falling on the back of the WTD."

Elsewhere in the speech Darling offered few crumbs of comfort for an industry currently suffering from some of the highest fuel prices ever experienced.

There were no concessions offered from the government. Instead Darling merely stressed that making the most of the existing road network was the way forward and there were no 'quick fix' solutions to congestion.

He added: "Congestion is a cost to you and a cost to the country. It can he reduced by additional capacity that is necessary but we cannot simply build our way out of the problems we face."

However, he promised a decision on a possible extension to the M6Toll in the next few weeks.

He also insisted that Lorry Road User Charging is proceeding as planned and that action is being taken to relax delivery curfews.


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