News

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has decided that its members have no desire for public protest against high fuel prices - despite the majority of respondents to a poll on this issue being in favour of action. The trade association has however offered support to any of its members who wish to stage local protests.

Chief executive Roger King says: "It is fair to say the majority that did make their feelings known favoured action but not all of these were prepared to commit vehicles and no consensus was evident in either time or place." The survey received a 4-5% response rate. The board's decision has not been popular with all operators abusive mail has described them as "spineless bastards" and some posts on the website of pressure group Transaction-2007 have expressed similar sentiments. Transaction itself has taken credit for the RHA's willingness to support local protest.

However RHA board member Andrew Black of Andrew Black Haulage and Storage says: "My view is a definite 'no' to protest. We would lose public good will and achieve nothing. The RHA board  thrashes issues out soundly and on this the decision is quite right." RHA policy director Jack Semple says: "For every haulier who says they wish to protest there are many, many others who support the RHA line."

According to the RHA's annual cost tables, road haulage costs have risen by 8.22% in 2007, and diesel has risen a further 8.3% since the report's publication on 30 September. The RHA board has said it will continue to campaign on the burden of high fuel prices. It is pursuing a conversion for some fuel duty into higher-rate VAT which hauliers could then reclaim the idea has already been discussed with the European Commission taxation department.

The Freight Transport Association has also decried public protest. James Hookham, deputy chief executive, says: "Freight customers and own-account operators are very concerned with the effect fuel protest would have on business. Direct action is not seen as constructive." In related news the Transport Association, a group of 60 family-run firms working collaboratively, will also be lobbying government asking for a sector-specific rebate and a postponement of the next 2p rise in duty.

See the latest on the fuel protests at our Fuel Protests news page.