A national survey conducted among top managers in the transport industry revealed that drivers believe congestion has increased, some think by as much as 30 per cent in recent years. This, along with many other issues facing haulage companies, is having disastrous effects at all levels of the industry.

One operator explained: "After 16 years in business I am now sadly no longer able to trade. Increases in the cost of diesel, heavy taxes and the over-priced toll bridges have put an end to it all."

The survey was carried out jointly by Michelin's truck tyre division and specialist transport magazine Fleet Management, and found that the main problems faced by hauliers were the increase in toll charges on bridges, spiraling diesel costs, traffic ramps and lack of speed cameras, leading to dangerous driving by other motorists.

Tom Dennigan, Michelin's National Sales Manager, commented: "Those taking part in the survey commented passionately on the changes that would need to be made to tackle Ireland's problem, often criticising the Government for not putting the issue higher up the agenda. They called for a change in the typical hours that trucks occupy the roads, but this would only be possible if their customers are willing to be more flexible and extend their delivery times so more trucks can deliver early in the morning and later at night.  This would help to ease traffic massively at peak times and allow hauliers to make the journey in reasonable time. Hauliers also asked the Government to look abroad for examples of strategies that have proven to be effective."

A further 39 per cent of respondents said that the Government and Local Authorities should discuss and format future plans in partnership with the transport industry and their clients. The survey also highlighted suggestions for helping road transport in Ireland, effectively the lifeblood of the national economy, which included far-reaching ideas such as banning cars from city centres during peak delivery times, through to penalising middle and fast lane ‘hoggers' and providing parking spaces for delivery vehicles in all city locations.

Jarlath Sweeney, Editor of Fleet Management, added: "The survey, surprisingly, revealed that the trucking industry favours speed control measures, including speed cameras. Only 31 per cent called for the removal of all speed ramps despite the damage they cause to both the trucks and goods inside the trailers. Making the ramp's incline more gradual, making speed cameras more visible and upping their numbers on back roads as well as main routes were among the suggestions offered."

One Dublin-based haulier said: "I believe that the problem with speed cameras lies in the profit that is driving the Garda to run them. Surely if speed cameras were made more visible, everyone would slow down. In my opinion things will never change, the Garda will continue to sneak cameras into hedges and try to catch people out, as long as they see profit in doing so."

Hauliers across Ireland are united that the Government put rising congestion, inadequate roads and high toll charges to the top of their list and use examples from other cities in mainland Europe where distribution systems have worked well. Another driver who took part said: "We need to challenge the apparent mental block which exists, just because we've come to expect crackpot schemes and gridlocks on our roads.  We must unite and do something to improve our road structure. We urgently need a road building programme for this millennium, let alone the next."

Full details of the survey can be read in the latest edition of Fleet Management, released on  the 12th December 2005.