RHA welcomes government move regarding foreign haulage drivers
Date: 07 May 2008
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has welcomed news that the UK haulage market will remain closed to freight trucks from Eastern Europe for another year.
It was previously reported that haulage drivers from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia would be able to work in the UK market from the beginning of May this year, however the government has revealed that that this will not occur until May 1st 2009.
Next year European Union law will give mandatory access to these nations and Poland and Hungary.
In a statement on the RHA's website, its chief executive Roger King said: "We had strong indications from members that some of these trucks would be taking work and jobs away from UK hauliers and this decision should put a brake on that."
However, he added that it is important to be aware that Eastern European haulage drivers can begin work in the UK in 12 months and will be able to enjoy lower operating costs due to reduced fuel duty rates in their home nations.
This follows news that the RHA is calling on MPs to support amendments to the finance bill aimed at reducing the price of fuel sold to road haulage companies.
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