Just exactly what IS the Scottish Executive empowered to do? Their response to the recent Freight Inquiry report listed a whole host of issues relevant to road haulage, but about which the Executive is powerless, hiding behind the get out clause of 'reserved matters' controlled by the national government at Westminster.

The lengthy, multi-venue inquiry generated strong feelings from the road haulage industry as they made their case for lower fuel duty to level the European playing field. Also on the list was lorry speed limits, particularly a suggested increase to 50mph on the A9 north of Perth. Add the use of red diesel, drivers hours linked to the Working Time Directive and road charging, and suddenly the Holyrood hands go up. Sorry, not our decision!

OK, hauliers may have been mildly placated with promises that all relevant London departments have been advised of the Freight Inquiry findings, but this was short lived thanks to the Scottish Executive's heavy handed comment that,

"While the penetration of foreign hauliers may have an impact on the freight transport industry, it may also have the effect of reducing distribution costs to the rest of the UK and the EU, which is good for business, consumers and the economy."

"This is what we also believe," said RHA director for Scotland and Northern Ireland, Phil Flanders, in a scathing reply. "We have been raising this issue for a number of years. Lower distribution costs are a benefit! Unfortunately Scottish hauliers will not be able to deliver these benefits because we are not given the chance. I'm sure that all hauliers based in this country and paying through the nose for fuel would love to have the chance to benefit businesses, consumers and the economy."

"This attitude of the Executive will solve another problem area," he continued, "namely the driver shortage. There will be no need for drivers who work for companies that do not help in reducing costs. We understand and support competition. But it must be fair competition. At present, the Executive seems to condone unfair competition."

"Thankfully, not all politicians think that way; at least the members of the Local Government and Transport Committee acknowledged the role of the road haulier and his value to the economy and did recommend some far reaching options. Who knows, perhaps common sense will return sometime before it's too late?"

"So, will the haulage industry go the way of the ship building industry, heavy engineering and a lot of manufacturing? This is a debate Scotland must surely have and sooner, rather than later," suggested Phil Flanders.

Truck-Free A9

And as if the Freight Inquiry response wasn't bad enough, Fife MSP Murdo Fraser sees the only way of reducing the death toll on the A9 as taking all trucks off the Perth/Inverness route and sending the goods by rail!

Certainly the issuing of freight facilities grants to move transport from road to rail is one decision the Scottish Parliament can make, and they have been making it, but it only scratches the surface. Like it or lump it, road freight is bigger, faster and more efficient than its rail equivalent, so why not go the other route: Dual carriageway the entire A9 and encourage 25.25m, 60 tonne road trains. The result? Safer road, fewer trucks. Everybody's happy!