The Department for Transport (DfT) was canvassing views of Scottish haulage companies as CM went to press, in an effort to find out if drivers' hours rules should be relaxed in light of the Grangemouth oil refinery strike.
The move echoed previous attempts by the government to head off crises, such as after the last foot and mouth outbreak and the explosion on the Buncefield industrial estate. If the DfT believes operators are experiencing difficulties
over fuel supply as a result of the Grangemouth closure, fuel delivery drivers' working time rules will be relaxed so that supplies can be delivered.
However, the two main trade associations were at odds over the impact that the 48-hour strike was having on hauliers. The Road Haulage Association (RHA) says the industrial action over pension changes will force fuel prices up and operators will struggle to pass on the rate increase. It has organised a meeting with Scottish MPs this week to highlight hauliers' problems. Phil Flanders, RHA director for Scotland, adds: "The higher the price goes the less they can buy on their credit terms. Some have only had half of what they have ordered in bulk."
However, the Freight Transport Association says that while it has heard rumours of some operators not being able to send vehicles out, and agrees there is a "degree of concern", the strike impact is not huge. Gavin
Scott, head of policy for Scotland, says: "We couldn't say first hand that someone is having a problem. While the garden isn't full of roses, it certainly isn't full of thistles."
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