Local Euro MP and Labours Transport spokesman in the European Parliament, Brian Simpson has expressed concerns at a proposal from the European Commission that would allow foreign lorries to work in Britain whilst waiting for a return load in five years time.

The proposals are contained in a report entitled Access to the international road haulage market presently before Parliament..

“What this proposal allows is unrestricted access to the UK haulage market for foreign companies which would pose a severe threat to our own hauliers”, said Mr. Simpson.

What the European Commission would like to see is an open liberalised road haulage market within the EU that allows any haulier to operate in another Member State.  Mr. Simpson believes however that in the present economic circumstances, such a move could sound the ‘death-knell’ for many of our own UK Hauliers.

“I know that there is a more restrictive proposal that allows foreign lorry drivers to do only 3 internal journeys before returning home, but even this could cause the UK industry some problems.  A Bulgarain lorry can deliver to a factory or store facility in St. Helens and then instead of returning home can do 3 jobs in Britain that would normally have been done by a local UK firm.

I have serious concerns about this, especially the present economic situation”, said Mr. Simpson.

Any proposals would have to be agreed by both the Parliament and the Council of Ministers and whilst UK hauliers would be given more access to markets in mainland Europe, there is a concern that they would be undercut within the UK, particularly by hauliers from Eastern Europe.

“For me, I would like to see these plans shelved until such time as the economic situation improves, more guarantees can be given against social dumping and the competition is totally fair, giving our hauliers an equal chance to compete” said Mr. Simpson.