What we really want in 2010
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What do hauliers want in 2010? We asked our operator panel that question, and the responses were reasonably predictable, ranging from a cut in fuel duty, to a call to clarify the muddle that is the working time law.
Words: Pat Hagan
2010 will mark the end of the millennium's first decade. It will feature a general election that might well herald a change in government and. who knows. could even witness England winning the World Cup for the first time in 44 years. We can but dream...
But what lies in store for a road transport industry that has spent the past 12 months bracing itself against the chill winds of recession? It's unlikely some would say impossible that there will be a miraculous turnaround in the fortunes of the haulage sector.
Instead, judging by the mood of CM's Operator Panel. most would happily settle for a sign of those longpromised green shoots of recovery.
The question is. what can central government do to kickstart this process?
Panel members were asked what legislation, initiatives or measures they would like to see in 2010 that would come to the rescue of a beleaguered industry.
Inevitably. a cut in fuel duty was a popular choice with our panel. At the very least operators would like to see a more favourable rate for hauliers, rather than all road users, to reflect the current burden of crippling fuel bills.
Predictably, the Working lime Regulations specifically the ongoing confusion over periods of availability was another target for remedial action.
Other panel members want to see more financial incentives for hauliers to go green as well as access to grants to boost take-up on much-needed training courses. •