Haulage industry blasts Lid Dem transport plan
Date: 21 February 2008
A group which represents the interests of the UK haulage industry has criticised plans set out by the Liberal Democrats to alter the country's transport system.
Earlier this week, the Lib Dems' Norman Baker outlined the party's transport policy. He suggested that a dedicated transport fund could be used to improve Britain's railways. It added that this could be funded by taxing the long-distance freight sector in the country.
However, Roger King, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), said that the move would severely impact on the freight industry in the country and could even have knock on effects on the economy of the country.
"Don't live in the West Country, the Highlands of Scotland or other remoter parts of the Kingdom," he explained, "because the cost of living will rise and jobs will disappear as factories close, the result of exorbitant transport costs.
"And don't think rail freight is the answer because access to the system is often non-existent, and where available often hopelessly uneconomic."
He added that it would be extremely difficult to collect the proposed tax from the haulage industry. Mr King said the plans did not explain who within the fright industry would have to pay and whether European haulage companies would also face the levy.
"This proposal has driven the Liberal Democrats’ transport policy up a cul-de-sac. We say turn round and have a rethink," he concluded.
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