The Road Haulage Association, which described the result as “an earthquake moment”, said it would be “piling the pressure” on ministers to get the best possible deal for the UK road haulage sector, adding: “There’s bound to be short-term turbulence, but this is also an opportunity to cut red tape and get a new deal on many issues for UK hauliers.”
The Freight Transport Association said Britain’s exit from the EU could add more costs, restrictions and bureaucratic requirements imposed on the movement of goods.
FTA chief executive David Wells said: “Even though we are coming out of Europe politically, it remains our biggest export market and the supplier of a high proportion of our imports. We cannot allow new bureaucratic burdens to hamper the efficient movement of exports heading for customers and imported goods destined for British consumers.”
Wells added: “The government has two years to ensure the conditions currently imposed on other non-EU member states such as Albania and Serbia are not imposed on UK freight flows.
“Norway and Switzerland have better arrangements but have accepted tough conditions, including on the free movement of people, so this will be a difficult negotiation.
“Britain may be out of Europe but it’s not out of business and FTA will be leading the campaign on behalf of exporters and importers to keep trade procedures simple and the costs of international transport down.”
Britain’s automotive sector has enjoyed significant success in recent years and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders added its voice to calls for the government to secure the best deal.
Chief executive Mike Hawes said: “The British public has chosen a new future out of Europe. Government must now maintain economic stability and secure a deal with the EU which safeguards UK automotive interests.
“This includes securing tariff-free access to European and other global markets, ensuring we can recruit talent from the EU and the rest of the world, and making the UK the most competitive place in Europe for automotive investment.”