THEIR BIGGEST CHALLENGE
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Ask operators what the main priority should be for the FTA and RHA in the next 12 months and the issue that emerges clearly is the one they probably least want to have their record examined on: fuel duty. While many concede a dramatic cut in duty will be difficult, even impossible, to achieve, the majority of operators agree that the two associations must ensure recent momentum on the issue is not lost, since despite their
efforts over the years and some recent successes, UK fuel duty remains eyewateringly high.
"Fuel duty is the issue that will keep closing down British transport companies, and the FTA and RHA need to find a way to lobby government effectively," says Kevin Hopper of Brian Yeardley Continental. "Fuel duty remains the obvious one it has the biggest effect on me as an operator and I
think there is a duty to keep it on the agenda," says David Heath of Clugston Distribution Services.
"It has to be fuel duty," agrees Steven Turner of Currie European. "There have been more successes recently but we can't for one minute let that [effort] subside. The people spearheading it have to keep up the fight," he continues. "It's by far the biggest challenge the industry continues to face."