News

The road transport industry will present a united front at the Parliamentary lobby on 2 July as the RHA and TransAction will work together.

There has been much criticism of the RHA recently - but the decision to work with TransAction has been welcomed in all quarters.

Peter Carroll, who acts as TransAction spokesman,  says: "I'm delighted that the RHA is prepared to co-operate in an open manner. Its new chairman, Andy Boyle, is very committed; he's brought added direction."

Boyle says: "We're united by a common cause, but we've been torn apart by internecine squabbling. This situation is bigger than any individual's or any association's ego. We've buried our differences and we're going to get along."

RHA chief executive Roger King explains the assocation's perceived earlier reticience: "We wanted to keep our powder dry until the SNP's fuel duty regulator amendment to the Finance Bill was debated in Parliament. Our information is that this will be 2 July. This lobby goes beyond merely seeing MPs and demanding help. This time we can actually focus on a debate about our industry and ask for positive support."

The RHA has sent a specimen letter to all members to send to their MPs. It asks the MP for a meeting on 2 July and calls for:

•  Abandonment of October's  2p/litre fuel duty hike
•  An essential user rebate
• Action to bring down the differential between the cost of diesel and that of petrol
• The introduction of a fuel duty regulator as proposed by the SNP

Boyle adds: "I don't expect a quick response from government - but I'm not a quitter."

Carroll says: "Get some trucks there and some people there: this is the big one."

The Transport Association is supporting action on 2 July. A spokesman says: "This is not the time to sit on your hands. Several hundred trucks are expected, but the nearer to 1,000, the better."

Go to the website of TransAction 2007 or the RHA for more information.