Continental trips hit decade low TRIPS TO THE Continent by UK-registered vehicles have hit their lowest level in a dec
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ade, just as the number of journeys made by foreign-registered trucks hit its highest level since 2009.
ade, just as the number of journeys made by foreign-registered trucks hit its highest level since 2009.
The total number of crossChannel journeys made between April and June by British trucks fell to 331,000, a 28% decline on the same period a decade ago, ro-ro statistics released by the Department for Transport (DfT) have revealed.
Trips made by foreign-registered vehicles totalled more than 1.56 million, the highest level since the first three months of 2009. UK operators offering services to the Continent were not surprised by the contin ued fall in the number of British-registered trucks crossing the channel. Ross Fraser,
MD at Portsmouth-based Fraser Freight, said his trucks are often just one of three UKregistered operators using a particular ferry route. "It's an increasing problem to us and it's becoming a challenge to remain competitive," he said. "I think because of the economic climate in the UK, everything is cost-driven so customers are beginning to choose the cheapest option rather than the one with the best service."
MD at Portsmouth-based Fraser Freight, said his trucks are often just one of three UKregistered operators using a particular ferry route. "It's an increasing problem to us and it's becoming a challenge to remain competitive," he said. "I think because of the economic climate in the UK, everything is cost-driven so customers are beginning to choose the cheapest option rather than the one with the best service."
Andrew Bearryman, MD at Freight Transport, echoed concerns about competing with foreign operators and thinks France's Ecotax is likely to deter more UK operators from running Continental routes.
Jack Semple, director of policy at the Road Haulage Association, said the drop to4 a 13% market share for UK operators was very worrying.