The Road Haulage Association has welcomed Transport Secretary Chris Grayling’s acknowledgement that “Our road haulage industry is right at the heart of the £110 billion of trade that takes place between the UK and EU every year”.

However, the Association has concerns regarding Government’s latest legislation on cross-border haulage as the UK continues its post-Brexit preparations.

Commenting, RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “While the RHA whole-heartedly supports that it is the right thing for Government to be preparing contingency measures, the free-flow of goods to the rest of Europe must be maintained. It is therefore essential that the arrangements we have at present be continued.

“The Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Bill, announced today, is an enabling Bill to instigate a contingency to cover a negotiated settlement involving permits, or the worst-case scenario – that we get no deal.

“It is standard business practice to have an effective contingency plan in place if things go wrong,” Richard Burnett continued. “In this case we need to see clear Government commitment that it will seek an agreement that does not impose new permits, quotas or limits on UK international operators.

“The road freight industry needs clarity as soon as possible as regards what is being negotiated.

“The views of the RHA and the road haulage sector as a whole have been consistently clear,” Richard Burnett concluded. “We want to see a system where licensed UK and EU operators can undertake international road haulage to, from, and through the UK and EU without any additional burden or cost.”

Road Haulage Association

About the Author: John Loughran