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Operators pledge their support for fuel Lobby

3rd September 2009
Page 6
Page 6, 3rd September 2009 — Operators pledge their support for fuel Lobby
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CM COVER STORY READERS OF Commercial Motor, its sister title Motor Transport. and associated website Roadtransport.com, have urged the industry to support the Freight Transport Association (ETA) and the Road Haulage Association (RI1A) in their efforts to lobby the government over fuel duty.

In the aftermath of the latest 2p/litre rise in fuel duty (the third rise in nine months by Chancellor Alistair Darling), a survey of hauliers and operators conducted on Roadtransponcom over the past two weeks reveals that 43.6% wanted to back the trade bodies.

However, almost a third of voters (32.1%) want the industry to engage in direct action in order to protect the haulage sector from further rises in fuel duty.

Just 17.8% wanted the road transport industry to 'win the hearts and minds of the 'Great British Public'. while 6.6% of voters want to 'give up the battle: Peter Carroll, who runs Seymour Transport, as well as being a member of fuel duty campaign group TransAction, says: "With 32.1% pushing for direct action, it shows the level of concern out there."

He adds that the combined 43.6% backing for the RHA and ETA and the 32.1% looking for

direct action shows fuel duty policy is still -a huge problem: Jo Tanner, ETA director of communications, welcomes the support from readers of CM and MT and Roadtransport.com users. and recognises that "to make a difference, we all need to work together':

However, she argues: "There is a lot of frustration out there among companies simply trying to stay afloat, but direct action will only alienate potential supporters.

"After all, the logistics sector works very hard to make life simple for the public, not difficult, so let's not undo the goodwill we have already earned."

RHA chief executive Geoff Dunning adds: "Given the criticism the trade associations have had in recent years, it does show a high degree of support [from operators], so I'm quite satisfied with the results. Hopefully. as we progress with our plans, we will receive more support."

Liam Quinn, director of Quinns Transport in York, says the price of fuel is the one issue he hopes all smaller hauliers can unite around.

He adds: "Operators need all the help they can get, but I'm disappointed, not just with the fuel duty rise, but with the rise in fuel prices since the start of the year."

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