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A clear majority of road transport operators back RHA and FTA efforts to lobby government over future duty increases, according to an online poll run by Roadtransport.com in conjunction with Motor Transport and Commercial Motor.

Almost 44% of respondents voted to support the associations, while 32% called for direct action. Almost 18% wanted to see a campaign to win over  the public to the cause of road transport, and just 7% saw fuel duty as a battle the industry should give up on.

Jo Tanner, director of communications at the Freight Transport Association, says: "We welcome the support of MT and CM readers in recognising that to make a difference, we need to work together. There is a lot of frustration out there, but direct action will only alienate potential supporters."

Geoff Dunning, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, says: "Given the criticism the trade associations have had in recent years, it does show a high degree of support [from operators], so I'm quite satisfied with the results. The trade associations have historically been very cautious about direct action."

But Mike Presneill, founder of protest group TransAction, says  the industry "must shout loud and collectively" if politicians are to take notice. He adds: "Direct protest action coupled with strong support for the associations would make the politicians consider the options."

According to one operator, the real issue is how fuel duty increases can be passed on to customers.

"We should consider ourselves a conduit for the collection of taxes, not an absorber of tax increases," says Joe Reynolds, chairman of Reynolds Tankers Group. "For too long, the transport industry has tried to absorb cost increases and to fail to pass on these charges will, without doubt, be economic suicide."

The poll was completed by 285 respondents between 18 August and 1 September. Here are the full results: