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UR wins in surprise IRU move
Page 6
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THERE was a surprise, behind the scenes, move by the 15strong British delegation at the International Road Transport Union congress in Oslo last week.
At the last moment the delegation successfully introduced a clause into one of the resolutions.
It showed concern over the increasing restrictions on the movement of goods vehicles in Europe at night and during weekends.
The IRU has agreed to take the matter up with the appropriate governments, principally West Germany and Austria.
After the conference IRU secretary general Peter Groenendijk revealed that other European countries would follow the Austrian lead and impose swingeing transit taxes.
It is understood that Germany is seriously considering the matter.
"An imposition of transit taxes across Europe would seriously affect British transport costs and consequently would adversely cut export potential," a British delegate told CM.
"We hope Transport Minister William Rodgers will take up the matter with his European colleagues immediately — it will be too late after the tax has been unposed," he said.
In the meantime the IRU is continuing to seek the liberalisation of cross-border traffic but Mr. Groenendijk told CM that there was no hope of a total abolition of international road haulage permits in the foreseeable future.