Freight group calls for urgent haulage improvements
Date: 07 November 2007
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The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said that UK haulage industry would like to see the recently announced government improvements to road networks put into place as soon as possible.
While haulage professionals welcomed the government's pledge to widen motorways and offer improvements at ports and airports, the FTA said that such projects are needed now, rather than in 2014.
Speaking at the FTA Annual Dinner at the London Hilton Hotel on November 6th, FTA president Andrew Haines said that it was unacceptable that hauliers often had to face long delays because of congestion.
"At last the government and industry are on the same page - but alas we are not running at the same pace," Mr Haines added.
"We need fundamental action here and now. Not in 2014, not in 2010, but here and now.
"Bearing in mind the present problems of congestion, and FTA's own forecast for gross pressure on our key trade routes as a result of the changing nature of the economy, a seven year delay will severely jeopardise the road to recovery."
Recently, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the debate about UK infrastructure following the publication of the Towards a Sustainable Transport System report.
RHA chief executive Roger King said that it would give the industry the chance to "present the reality of road haulage as efficient, flexible, responsive and the main mode of goods transport for the future."
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