50% say EU exit ‘would damage UK haulage’

Half of respondents in a survey of more than 800 decision-makers in the UK road transport industry think that leaving the European Union would negatively impact the British haulage sector, according to data released by telematics provider Microlise.

Meanwhile, only a fifth of respondents thought that a UK exit from Europe would be positive for the sector. 30 per cent were either not sure, or said there would be no impact.

The statistics were released as part of the Microlise Transport Conference post-event report, and were captured using interactive voting at the road transport event, which was held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

In further findings from the survey, 89 per cent of road transport workers thought the government does not show enough understanding of the UK road economy; 82 per cent said their businesses would see significant benefits from a fuel duty cut; and 40 per cent said there were not enough traffic police on UK roads.

Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, said: “The key finding is the strong, clear message that the government needs more understanding of the road economy.

“Ministers are doing better. But they need to go much further with appropriate road regulation and recognition of the industry. They have an opportunity to lead positive, lasting change and to gain credit for doing so. The RHA is keen and well able to help them do that.”