Published: Thursday, 29th May, 2008 14:00
Hauliers back fuel price cut call
By James Kell
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READING hauliers have backed calls for a cut in fuel duty following this week’s protests around the country.
In the wake of Tuesday’s high profile demonstrations in London and in Wales, the Freight Transport Association described Government plans for a 2p-a-litre rise on diesel duty in October as “unthinkable” and called for a 25p-a-litre cut to bring prices closer to European levels.
Imran Shafi, office manager at Woodley-based Pioneer International said: “Even though we sub-contract our work out and we don’t have our own vehicles, if we get charged more by our sub-contractors because of high fuel prices, then we have to pass that on to the customer so I think there does need to be a cut in duty rather than a raise.”
Robert Massey, director of Reading based couriers Post Haste, said: “Fuel prices are horrific. When companies are competing against foreign hauliers then it’s going to impact on British businesses because in effect it’s unfair competition.
“It affects our customers because it costs them more to move stuff because we have to increase our charges because of the rising cost of fuel, but in terms of competing in Europe it probably affects HGV hauliers maybe more than us, because we tend to be more vans and bikes.
“I was in France at the weekend and the price of diesel was equivalent to £1.12 a litre, and we’re paying £1.25, so the difference isn’t as great as it has been but it still needs to be overcome.”
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