Yes, those are among headline requests from the likes of the FTA (Freight Transport Association) and RHA (Road Haulage Association), and, yes, they are important. But the Tories need to understand that, for the industry as a whole to flourish, we also need support to drive co-ordinated improvements – both regulatory and technical. The massive road-building programme to which they had already committed is welcome but, on it's own, not enough.
Take, for example, the Cities Devolution Bill, which promises large conurbations power over transport and other policy matters, as outlined by chancellor George Osborne in his first post-election speech. Greater Manchester is due to be the trailblazer in two years' time. But, while devolution arguably serves the regions better than centralised Westminster control ever can, the last thing transport needs is different rules for every city around trucks and deliveries.
Take also the current ill-informed downer on diesel, spurred on, no doubt, by the Supreme Court's landmark ruling that government must now cut NOx pollution, in line with the EU's air quality directive (page 6). Incentivising operators to acquire clean Euro 6 diesel CVs might be one answer. But further funding to stimulate development and uptake of natural gas or dual-fuel trucks would not only cut emissions, but also reduce the UK's dependence on fossil fuels while simultaneously fostering a potentially lucrative export market.
Time to talk to transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin.
