NI peace boosts work
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by Elizabeth Daly • Fewer bombs have meant more business for Northern Ireland's hauliers, many of whom have marked the first anniversary of the ceasefire by reporting a significant increase in business.
Domestic hauliers and parcel carriers have done particularly well thanks to increased investment in the province and an end to prohibitive security measures.
Target Express Parcels, Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh, reports a 30% business increase. Depot manager Tony Jackman says: "Our success has been mainly due to being able to operate our parcel collection and delivery effectively.
"We can now offer a 24hour service and fulfil the promise without being delayed by three road blocks while trying to cross Belfast city centre." Eglinton Fast Freight, Derry, which operates 23 lorries, has seen its business increase by 7% more than it would have expected for the year. Director Eugene Doherty says: "The majority of the increased business at the moment is from small businesses opening, especially in the border towns, to cater for tourists, which is stimulating work in the local areas."
Noel Zwecker, director of Noel Zwecker International Transport, Craigavon, Co Armagh, attributes an additional increase of 3 to 4% busi ness to the ceasefire. "Business has worked out a lot better because the Peace has given industry the security to plan in the longer term," he says.
For others the upturn remains a prospect rather than reality. "There is no real peace yet; we have a cessation of violence. The world is still watching and waiting," says Keith Baird, partner of Joseph Baird Transport, Co Armagh. "The new industries and supermarkets which are coming to Northern Ireland are still at too early a stage to be creating jobs yet. Next year perhaps."