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The Freight Transport Association has called on the government to recognise the importance of freight movements by investing urgently in our transport infrastructure. Speaking at the annual FTA dinner at the Park Lane Hilton in London, president Andrew Haines asked why, when the economy relies on the movement of goods, is the UK not substantially increasing its investment in transport infrastructure? "Most, if not all,  of the things around us the almost certainly delivered in the back of a lorry," he added. " Is it not therefore common sense to make these operations as efficient as possible?

"How daft, then, that we continue to waste millions of man-hours and billions of pounds because lorries are stuck in congestions, freight trains are held up in sidings and containers held at ports and airports." Haines said this is unacceptable for the UK economy and the government has a responsibility to overcome these problems: "The Treasury collects over £44bn a year from all road users and we are patently not getting value for money. With under £8bn per annum currently spent on roads it is depressing to think that UK plc does not recognise the benefit of investing to protect its business."

He pointed out that high fuel duty also hits CVs and called of the government to separate fuel tax for cars from that for CVs, particularly in light of high crude-oil prices. Haines went out to remind his audience  that foreign-registered trucks are sill not charged for using the UK's roads, nor are they governed as strictly as domestic vehicles. He asked: "Why is it that the government seems unable to do something to protect its own business?"

Admitting to focusing on roads rather than other modes, Haines explained this is because road transport is so crucial to the UK economy because road movements dominate most supply chains. However, he stressed that investment must also be made in rail, sea and air if the UK economy is to operate successfully.

And he concluded that this investment must be made before 2014, when the government's current plans, outlined in its document Towards a Sustainable Transport System, come into force: "There is no shortage of ideas, such as lifting night curfews, hard-shoulder running and allowing lorries to share bus lanes - but we need action now."