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With Hauliers across the country currently on their knees due to rising fuel prices and taxes, are we seeing the decline of one of the countries most historic industries?
At the recent Commercial Vehicle show at Birmingham NEC there was growing concern between hauliers, fleet managers and drivers on the next steps the RHA should take in the fight against rising prices. As the pressure mounts to reduce carbon emissions off UK roads the Government are increasing pressure for hauliers to increase efficiency and reduce their environmental impact, but this comes at a cost. Technology which is currently being marketed, mostly at the CV show, to reduce carbon emissions in vehicles is not cheap and with most SME companies handling over 200 vehicles within their fleet, how can they afford these innovative products. Stands adorned the CV show offering everything from driver training, vehicle tracking and asset management, all of which can improve vehicles efficiency, but come at a cost and with the current climate being as unstable as it is; companies have no budget to spare.

Since pre world war 1, the road haulage industry has been at the backbone of the British economy. Through heavy investment into infrastructure, the government developed a transport system which was second to none. However with this heavy investment, other industries such as Ports and waterways became alienated. Following the industrial revolution of 1760-1840 which saw the canal system being built and the creation of a rail network between1840-1945, the Government decided to turn their focus to roads. This created a freight industry reliant on one network, which ultimately would be the Governments downfall. As environmental pressures begin to mount the need for action has begun and with almost two thirds of domestic freight being carried annually by road an alternative plan is being developed. The focus is now being put back on former transport systems, canal and rail, once heralded by the Government as an efficient means of freight transportation.

However if the solution lies with rail and canals, where is the infrastructure? Following the decline in British waterways and rail freight lines, infrastructure has long since decayed and if there is to be a sudden huge investment it will come at some cost. This cost could be in the millions if not billions, so where will this money come from, increased taxes, rising fuel or congestion charges? All of these will hit the already tired economy hard and leave the haulage industry in ruins, so do we need to ask ourselves, what is more important the environment or our economy?