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Roy Harbour, who hauls abnormal loads to the Continent, says time is up for the inequalities in costs that exist between UK and foreign hauliers...
• If you want to sound off about a road transport issue write to features editor Pawls Cunene or fax your views (up to 600 words) to Micky Clarks on 0181652 0912 ii As a member of the Road Haulage Association and its
international functional group I was very disappointed to read RHA director-general Steven Norris's remarks in Commercial Motor last October that UK companies need to follow the professional example of Norbert Dentressangle. I think several things ought to be put into perspective before UK operators follow the French company's lines.
Offshore Transport Services has been transporting loads to Spain, France and Portugal for the past 25 years. However, the rising difference in costs between EU member ▪ states is making profitable operation increasingly difficult. m
,2 My company operates 14 vehicles on Continental work but -g' doesn't buy a drop of diesel in this country. >-
E As my fuel bill runs to £28,000 a month, imagine how much a
ccs more it would be it I were paying the vast amount of duty to the UK Po Government if I bought it here!
• I recently met my local MP, Elliot Morley, who tried to tell me that the high amount of diesel duty was to pay for the environmental cost of emissions from diesel engines. I pointed out to him that the new Euro-2 and 3 engines actually burn more fuel in their attempt to reduce emission Ieveis. They also cost around £3,000 more than the previous engines, so we're stung for buying them and for using them!
It's also unfair that when we work abroad we have to buy vignettes to pay for our road use. As I'm going out of this country I pass my foreign counterparts coming in who are using our roads (which I also pay for through my vehicle excise duty) for free.
And do I block their path and stop them working and cause them to lose revenue and business? Of course not, because it's illegal over here. But I am one of many hauliers who got caught up in the French strike two years ago.
Four of my vehicles were prevented from leaving the BP Truckstop in Bordeaux for five days. Who was one of the French operators blockading our path? Yes, good old Norbert Dentressangle. After a great deal of hassle we have just heard that our claim for £3,000 compensation will be paid, although we haven't received a penny yet.
Also, when I do manage to drive on French roads I have to make sure that it's only on weekdays or until 10pm at night at the weekend, otherwise I face heavy fines.
If the Government is going to continue to burden us with more costs and unfair competition I will take my business abroad. This is no empty threat—I have made it known that I am looking at a business venture in Spain.
There are a lot of detrimental factors working against my business and someone has got to make a stand. If we sit back, we're going to be crucified.
Mr Morley has promised to raise questions in Parliament but I would welcome Mr Norris taking a closer look at helping our industry—particularly when the playing field throughout Europe is so uneven.