The Freight Transport Association has told the European Commission that higher quality standards for road transport operators’ entry and conduct in the industry are not required. FTA says that any shortfall in operating standards is more likely to be the result of poor application and enforcement of regulations by some member states. The problem can only be resolved by member states themselves taking responsibility for introducing appropriate systems, not by adding further burdens on to the industry in those states which enforce the regulations in a manner that ensures a high compliance rate.

New research published by the Freight Transport Association in its July 2006 Quarterly Transport Activity Survey presents a picture of a freight transport industry blighted by high diesel prices which is struggling to meet ever more demanding business customers and consumers because of rampant congestion on the UK’s road trade routes. To mark ten years of the FTA survey, over 100 members were asked what had most adversely affected business performance in the past ten years. Rising world energy prices was cited as the most significant negative effect, followed by road congestion. Operators fear that the same factors will dominate the next decade, together with possible tax measures to curb carbon dioxide emissions.

Optimism for Scotland and Midlands
New data from the Freight Transport Association’s Quarterly Transport Activity Survey undertaken in July 2006 shows freight demand growing strongly despite record oil prices. Businesses are more positive about prospects for domestic road freight activity than they have been for two years. During 2005 domestic road freight demand had been in the doldrums, with demand for haulage services particularly hit as industry scaled back its use of third party carriers in response to weaker levels of business.