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Press Releases
Up one levelRHA welcomes UK move on foreign hauliers
06/05/2008The RHA has welcomed news that the UK domestic haulage market will remain closed to trucks from most of Eastern Europe for another year.
RHA Supports fuel price amendment to Finance Bill
06/05/2008The RHA has welcomed the recently tabled amendments tabled to the Finance Bill, are aimed at stabilising fuel prices generally and at reducing the price of fuel sold to road haulage operators.
RHA Scottish Hauliers 'lay it on the line' at Holyrood
30/04/2008Today, 30th April, a delegation of 15 Scottish hauliers met with Scottish parliamentarians at Holyrood. The aim of the meeting was to highlight current concerns including the recent uncertainty over fuel supplies from the Grangemouth refinery and of course the continuing fuel price rises.
RHA welcomes news from Grangemouth
30/04/2008Phil Flanders, RHA's Scotland & Northern Ireland Director welcomed the news that there is hopefully an end in sight to the uncertainty about fuel supplies at Grangemouth.
"Hauliers can no longer absorb soaring cost increases" warns RHA
28/04/2008The Road Haulage Association has criticised buyers of road haulage services who refuse to discuss rate increases, despite the soaring cost of diesel.
RHA announces 3-Point Plan for Haulage Industry Survival
18/04/2008The 2008 Commercial Vehicle Show at Birmingham's NEC provided the perfect opportunity for RHA Chief Executive Roger King to call publicly for Government to support the UK's beleaguered haulage industry.
October 1 sees new era for Statutory Fees
11/04/2008The road haulage and insurance sectors have welcomed the government decision to bring in an all-new statutory charging system for vehicle recovery on October 1.
Get a great deal with the new RHA UK fuelcard - and you can take that as ReD!
11/04/2008With increasing volatility in the fuel market it is vital that operators stay in control of your fuel costs at all times and RHA Marketing DIrector, Andrew Green, is confident that the new RHA UK Fuelcard will do just that by offering a consistently competitive fuel price at strategically-located refuelling outlets across the UK.
RHA Rescue & Recovery Group Chairman receives GreenFlag Gold Truck Award
31/03/2008The Road Haulage Association is delighted that the chairman of the Association’s Rescue and Recovery Group, Richard Goddard, has been presented with The GreenFlag Gold Truck Award.
Visiting trucks are much more likely to be involved in an accident than UK trucks
31/03/2008The RHA believes that the public understand this basic fact but is concerned that the good image of the UK road haulage industry might suffer “collateral damage” nonetheless.
RHA Seminar Centre at the Commercial Vehicle Show
27/03/2008Those operating within the tanker or tipping sector don’t need telling that theirs is an area of the transport industry that can be a real minefield of legislation and regulation. But they needn’t worry because if it’s advice or ideas that's needed, a visit to Halls 17 and 18 at this year's Commercial Vehicle Show and the TipCon and TankCon stands is the place to find information, new innovations and of course other operators from the same sector.
"Fuel costs MUST be passed on - whatever the consequences" says RHA
25/03/2008The Road Haulage Association is very concerned that some hauliers, even those with fuel price escalators in their contracts, are finding customers either refusing or willing but unable to accept increased haulage charges for fear of the consequences to their own businesses.
Security Seminar a "Runaway Success" says RHA
13/03/2008Tuesday 11 March saw over 150 delegates attending the Road Haulage Association's 6th Security Seminar, this year held at Towcester Racecourse. Those present included representatives from the Police, security companies and RHA members.
"The Fuel Duty Freeze is welcome but the Campaign goes on" says RHA.
12/03/2008The Road Haulage Association welcomes today’s announcement by the Chancellor that the 2 pence per litre fuel duty increase is to be deferred until October 2008.
RHA seeks clarification on LEZ compliance
12/03/2008The Road Haulage Association has met with Transport for London to discuss the plight of hauliers who, through no fault of their own are still waiting for the supply equipment necessary to make their vehicles compliant with the requirements of the London Low Emission Zone.
RHA sends a last ditch plea to Chancellor
10/03/2008The latest fuel price survey shows that the average price of a litre of diesel has risen by 5 pence so far this year. This amounts to an increase of £3,000 per annum on the fuel bill for the EVERY heavy goods vehicle.
Active Transport Management - a "Qualified" success says RHA
06/03/2008The Road Haulage Association listened keenly to Secretary of State for Transport Ruth Kelly’s “Delivery Choice and Reliability” speech made at the Department for Transport on Tuesday 4 March. “There was much in there to digest,” said RHA Chief Executive Roger King.
Fuel Prices Continue to Soar
04/03/2008The national average price for diesel has increased by a record breaking 4.6 pence per litre in the last fourteen days of February according to the Road Haulage Association's price watch monitor.
"The LEZ 'honeymoon' is over" says RHA
26/02/2008Monday 3rd of March will see the end of the initial 28-day “honeymoon” period for the London Low Emission Zone – and the start of high charges and uncertainty for operators who are victims of delays in fitting particulate traps.
"Hauliers' fuel costs hit all time high" says RHA
25/02/2008Hauliers’s diesel costs have reached an all-time high, with prices soaring by 2.19 pence a litre in just one week, the Road Haulage Association says.
RHA and Croner to launch new On-Line Employment Law Service
25/02/2008Croner and the Road Haulage Association have joined forces to bring RHA members a new online product, RHA Croner-i Employment Law, to help users stay ahead of workplace issues and legislation.
"Lib Dems up a Cul-de-Sac" says RHA
20/02/2008The Liberal Democrat transport policy as outlined by Norman Baker their transport spokesman, does nothing to provide solutions for the country’s transport needs says the Road Haulage Association.
RHA Recovery Group says "Give us a break Mr Livingstone"
20/02/2008RHA Recovery Group Chairman, Richard Goddard has written to London Mayor Ken Livingstone to press home the case for exempting vehicle recovery operators working in London from the Low Emission Zone.
RHA welcomes DfT decision on Working Time
19/02/2008The Road Haulage Association has welcomed the Department for Transport's decision not to make any changes to the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005. This follows the recent review which confirmed that most employers and drivers are in compliance and that average weekly working hours for drivers continues to reduce.
'Security MUST be taken seriously' says RHA
14/02/2008Despite repeated advice and increased prevention measures, security is an escalating problem for road hauliers and now accounts for annual losses in excess of £1 billion. A figure that the Road Haulage Association is determined to reduce. But regardless of the severity of the problem, it is still an issue that does not figure strongly on the horizon of the Home Office or the police.
Meeting with the Chancellor 'Courteous'
11/02/2008Today (11 February) representatives from the Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport Association met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling to stress the importance of abandoning plans to increase fuel duty by a further 2p per litre from 1 April.
Truck Operators Meet Chancellor
11/02/2008Today, (Monday, 11 February), representatives of the Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport Association will meet with the Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling. The two Association's, which together represent operators of over 300,000 lorries, are calling on the Government to scrap plans to increase fuel duty by a further 2p per litre from 1 April.
Roadway ... Sheer Genius!
30/01/2008Leading commercial vehicle journalist, Craig Sheer, joins the RHA's Roadway Publishing team as ROADWAY Magazine's Deputy Editor. Craig takes up the appointment on March 17.
RHA Goes to Holyrood
30/01/200823 members of the Scottish Parliament attended the reception held by the Road Haulage Association at Holyrood on 29th January.
RHA Welcomes Low Emission Zone Enforcement Delay
23/01/2008The Road Haulage Association welcomes Transport for London's decision to delay enforcement of the Low Emission Zone with the introduction of a 28-day warning period.
RHA Welcomes Chamber Support on Fuel Duty
21/01/2008The Road Haulage Association welcomes the recent submission by the British Chambers of Commerce to the Chancellor of the Exchequer that April's proposed 2 pence per litre fuel duty increase should be abandoned.
8th National Pay Survey Published
15/01/2008The eighth annual joint Incomes Data Services and Road Haulage Association national survey of pay and conditions for drivers and distribution workers has just been published. The key findings of the survey are:
"Demon Headmistress" sets Lesson Plan for Haulage Employers
14/01/2008Haulage companies in the North West are being given the opportunity to hear about new legislation that will affect all bus and lorry drivers this year* by introducing a new initial qualification, the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC).
RHA responds to TfL Freight Plan
14/01/2008In responding to the recently published London Freight Plan, the Road Haulage Association supports Transport for London’s objectives of safe and reliable goods services.
RHA welcomes Forth River crossing decision
20/12/2007The Road Haulage Association welcomes the decision by the Scottish Government to build the long awaited second crossing over the River Forth.
'The figures speak for themselves" says RHA
06/12/2007The Road Haulage Association has learned with great satisfaction (but no complacency) that in the month of November, some 35 million people were exposed to the RHA name and what it represents through the written media.
'Transaction 2007' - RHA Statement
06/12/2007The Road Haulage Association feels it necessary to make a number of urgent points concerning the Association and the pressure group calling itself “Transaction 2007”.
RHA fuel protest statement
30/11/2007At its board meeting on 29 November, directors of the Road Haulage Association discussed at considerable length the rising price of diesel fuel, including the impact of the increase in fuel duty implemented in October. The board was mindful of the concerns of some members that more action was needed to combat these increases.
"UK hauliers left to fend for themselves," says RHA
26/11/2007UK Treasury policy on diesel duty is driving the road haulage industry further adrift from the rest of the EU – a point highlighted by a new report by MEPs.
RHA Scottish Members meet to discuss their options
13/11/2007Road Haulage Association Scottish members in Edinburgh today held a meeting to discuss the options for action in the light of the rising cost of fuel and have issued the following statement:
RHA re-enforces its position on Fuel Duty
13/11/2007The Road Haulage Association questions the idea of taking trucks onto the roads of Britain to protest against high fuel prices as pointless, potentially counter-productive and potentially illegal.
Road Haulage Association urges freeze on further Fuel Duty increases as prices continue to rise
02/11/2007The Road Haulage Association urges the Chancellor to seriously reconsider any further increases in fuel duty as prices continue to rise.
RHA welcomes Sustainable Transport debate but warns of 'infrastructure gap'
30/10/2007The Road Haulage Association welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Government's debate following publication of "Towards a Sustainable Transport System" issued today.
TankCon fills up at the CV Show
15/10/2007TankCon is returning to the UK exhibition scene as one of five specialist sectors within the Commercial Vehicle Show 2008 – alongside the Cool Zone, Municipal Hall, Workshop 2008, and the recently announced re-launch of TipCon.
TipCon Returns to the NEC in 2008
12/10/2007Organisers of Europe’s second largest road transport event – the Commercial Vehicle Show 2008 – have announced the return of TipCon to the industry calendar next year.
RHA asks Prime Minister "Why handicap the UK?"
01/10/2007Today, the prime minister addressing business leaders set out three objectives:
RHA and FTA unite in Treasury approach to highlight plight of UK hauliers
28/09/2007On Friday 28th September, the Chief Executives of the UK's leading transport associations, the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association, delivered a declaration and letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer at HM Treasury on behalf of their members.
"Hauliers to face their own winter of discontent" says RHA
21/09/2007Today's news that the price of crude oil has hit an all time high is bad news indeed for UK hauliers.
Scottish Hauliers United in Disbelief at Westminster Intransigence
17/09/2007Scottish livestock hauliers today voiced their anger and disbelief that the Dept for Transport has again turned down the request to relax drivers' hours regulations to allow them to tackle the backlog of animals that need to be moved desperately.
Foot & Mouth Disease hits Scottish Hauliers Hard
14/09/2007Livestock hauliers in Scotland are being hit particularly hard by the latest outbreak of Foot & Mouth Disease. Operators, still struggling to cope with the backlog caused by the August outbreak are now faced with more problems since the new outbreak of FMD this week.
Once again, RHA calls on Treasury to abandon planned fuel duty hike as diesel prices soar
14/09/2007The Road Haulage Association has again called on the Treasury to abandon the 2p/lit increase in fuel duty planned for October 1, as the price of diesel paid by hauliers hits a year-high.
"Foot & Mouth Disease will hit rural hauliers hard" says RHA
14/09/2007The latest outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease represents a further significant threat to the rural economy says the Road Haulage Association.
Renewed Foot and Mouth Fears for UK Hauliers
12/09/2007Within hours of the European Commission officially ending the ban on the movement of animals and animal products from Great Britain to other EU member states, another outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease has been reported. This time in Egham, Surrey; approximately 13 miles from the original outbreaks in England early in August.
"Lorry drivers should be role models for motorists" says RHA
12/09/2007Lorry drivers should be role models for motorists in fuel efficient and courteous driving. That’s the view of the Road Haulage Association, responding to the Commission for Integrated Transport’s report, Transport and Climate Change.
RHA alerts operators to Low Emission Certificate engine number requirement
12/09/2007Operators should be aware that if they are presenting a vehicle to undergo the London Low Emission Smoke test required for Euro I and Euro II vehicles, those carring out the test are tipping vehicle cabs to ensure that the engine details are correct.
RHA Seeks Compensation for Livestock Hauliers
12/09/2007The Road Haulage Association is considering options for suing for damages on behalf of livestock hauliers, following the recently released HSE report on the cause of the foot and mouth out break at Pirbright research centre.
RHA welcomes VOSA smoke testing plans
22/08/2007The Road Haulage Association has welcomed VOSA’s announcement that it will be able to do the smoke tests needed for a London Low Emission Certificate from 3 September 2007.
RHA responds to Conservative 'Freeing Britain to Compete' report
22/08/2007he Road Haulage Association has responded to the Conservative Economic Competitiveness Policy Group report, 'Freeing Britain to Compete'.
RHA refers TfL's LEZ claims to Advertising Standards Authority
22/08/2007The Road Haulage Association is referring Transport for London to the Advertising Standards Authority over an advertisement for the London Low Emission Zone.
RHA & FTA welcome Northern Ireland's move towards 'O' Licensing
13/08/2007The Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association have welcomed the progress of legislation in the Northern Ireland Assembly which will ultimately lead to a licensing and enforcement regime for commercial vehicles similar to that operated in the rest of the United Kingdom.
RHA to Press for Foot & Mouth Aid for Hauliers
09/08/2007Six years on and for many operating within the livestock sector of the UK haulage industry, recovery from the last outbreak of Foot & Mouth Disease has been slow. Despite the fact that those employed within other highly peripheral rural activities received compensation for lost business (hotel, restaurants etc), this never materialised for road hauliers.
Foot and Mouth Fear for Livestock Hauliers
07/08/2007The Road Haulage Association is encouraged by the swift reaction of the authorities to the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease and is confident that this latest crisis to hit the countryside will end sooner rather than later.
VOSA, RHA & FTA Advise Romania on Road Safety Issues
02/08/2007At the end of July the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) lead a team involving the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) to visit the Romanian Transport Authorities and Trade Associations as a part of VOSA’s current twinning project with Romania. The Twinning Project is funded by the EU, and is designed to ensure correct and best practice application of EU Road Transport Law in Romania.
Steve Bowles steps down as RHA National Chairman
30/07/2007At last Thursday’s RHA Board of Directors meeting the following statement was made by the chairman Stephen Bowles:
RHA Highlights VOSA's Sideguard Requirements
30/07/2007Recent changes to VOSA's interpretation of the requirements for sideguards has caused considerable problems for operators when presenting certain vehicles for annual test. These include "short bodied" vehicles with cranes mounted behind the cab, those with sleeper cabs and some tankers.
"Stop the Fuel Duty Rise" says RHA
13/07/2007The RHA has written to the new Chancellor, Alistair Darling, urging him to defer next October’s 2ppl increase in fuel duty the then chancellor Gordon Brown announced in his March Budget.
RHA experiences Longer Heavy Vehicles on the Public Highway
06/07/2007Road Haulage Association Chief Executive Roger King recently attended a special meeting of the International Road Transport Union in Amsterdam to consider an EU view on the desirability of arriving at a common view on longer, heavier vehicles; the 25m/25m concept.
Manchester's Congestion Charge Plans are "Fatally Flawed" says RHA
03/07/2007The Road Haulage Association believes that the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities' (AGMA) proposals for a Transport Innovation Fund bid are fundamentally flawed because of the intention to impose a congestion charge on goods vehicle operators.
Reduced Pollution Certification - RHA Disappointed at Final Decision
26/06/2007Following industry discussions with the Department for Transport with regards to the introduction of the Euro-V Reduced Pollution Scheme, the following statement has been released by the Department for Transport.
RHA elects Steve Bowles as new Chairman
19/06/2007The Road Haulage Association's Board of Directors has elected Steve Bowles of Colnbrook-based Roy Bowles Transport as its new Chairman. Steve takes over from Willie Oliver who stepped down after his two-year term of office was completed.
RHA & FTA form Training Alliance
19/06/2007The Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association, are joining forces to deliver driver CPC training to the UK road transport industry.
Eddie Harper awarded MBE for Services to Livestock Haulage
19/06/2007The Road Haulage Association is delighted that the hard work of long-standing member and Chairman of the Association's Livestock Hauliers Group, Eddie Harper, was recognised with the award of the MBE in the Queen's Birthday honours for his services to livestock transport.
RHA Compliance Services announce new package
19/06/2007The Road Haulage Association has always been at the forefront of providing an excellent range of compliance services for its members. These include Contracts of Employment, Risk Assessment and Management, Operational Audits and RHA Lawplan as well as general day to day advice. But whatever the service, there's always room for improvement. Therefore, on Friday 15 June, RHA Compliance Services will launch a brand new service package; Vehicle Inspection.
fastFORWARD leads the way
01/05/2007fastFORWARD, the UK road transport and logistics industry's first dedicated training and careers magazine received a tremendous reception at the CV and AT Show last week and it now has a website: www.fastforwardcareers.co.uk
2007 CV Show a big hit for RHA
30/04/2007The Road Haulage Association has always been justifiably proud of being one of the founding organisations behind the tremendously successful Commercial Vehicle and Automotive Trade Show and this year was no exception.
RHA challenges Road User Pricing
20/04/2007The Road Haulage Association today challenged the assumption that road user pricing can play a key role in reducing congestion.
RHA gets the message over in The Independent
17/04/2007The Road Haulage Association is pleased to be included in the special commercial vehicle supplement to be published in The Independent newspaper on Wednesday 18th April.
RHA Proved Right over Budget Increase in Fuel Duty
10/04/2007Despite writing to the Chancellor condemning the proposal to increase fuel in six months, pump prices have already risen by almost 2 pence per litre in the past two weeks.
RHA launches 'New Look' at CV Show
10/04/2007This year's Commercial Vehicle Show presents the perfect opportunity for the RHA to launch its 'new look'.
Driver CPC Tops Bill at RHA Training Conference
04/04/2007Birmingham's Jaguar Cars is the venue for the RHA's 10th Training Conference to be held on Thursday 10 May.
Budget Increase in Fuel Duty "Unacceptable" says RHA
29/03/2007The Road Haulage Association has written to the Chancellor condemning the budget proposal to resume increases in fuel duty.
Lorry hi-jacks - RHA calls for better co-ordinated police response
27/03/2007The appalling hi-jack of a lorry on the A14 yesterday, the second in less than two weeks, underlines the need for a co-ordinated, national response to policing in case of attacks on lorry drivers and their loads.
"Invest Dartford toll revenue into secure parking" RHA tells DfT
26/03/2007A proportion of the revenue from Dartford Crossing tolls should be spent on providing much-needed secure parking for lorries, the RHA has told the Department for Transport.
"Increase in Fuel Duty puts British Hauliers at Risk," says the Road Haulage Association
21/03/2007Chancellor Gordon Brown MUST take action to rebate road hauliers before the above-inflation, 2 pence per litre increase in diesel duty takes effect on October 1, says the Road Haulage Association.
"Stop New Overtaking Bans," says RHA
20/03/2007The Road Haulage Association has called on the Highways Agency to halt the implementation of two new overtaking bans on the A1(M), due to come into force on March 28.
RHA Wins Ruling on Off-Road Driving
19/03/2007The Road Haulage Asssociation has gained clarification from VOSA as to what will be accepted as driving off the public highway that need NOT be recorded as driving time under the new EU Regulation 561/2006.
RHA warns Gordon Brown: "Don't Raise Fuel Tax!"
15/03/2007The Road Haulage Association has warned Chancellor Gordon Brown that any Budget increase in fuel tax will cost British jobs. It will do further damage to an industry that is already paying much the highest level of fuel tax in Europe.
Digital Tachograph "Fundamentally Flawed" says RHA
05/03/2007Digital tachographs over-record time driven by lorry drivers, says the Road Haulage Association.
MSA Closure "Another Blow for Drivers" says RHA
27/02/2007The impending closure of Leicester Forest East service area on the M1 is a blow to lorry drivers and will undermine road safety, says the Road Haulage Association.
"Beware of Belgian Tacho Rules" warns RHA
26/02/2007Beware Belgian enforcement of EU rules on keeping records from digital tachographs, warns the Road Haulage Association. It differs from that of the UK.
"Road Pricing is no Answer," says RHA
21/02/2007The Road Haulage Association notes with interest the Prime Minister's assertion this morning that no decision has been taken on national road user charging.
RHA says "More effort needed to reduce road freight crime"
16/02/2007Greater vigilance is needed from operators - and a policy from the Department for Transport on secure parking.
"Is the PM finally seeing sense?" asks RHA
14/02/2007The Road Haulage Association welcomes the Prime Minister’s assertion this morning that no decision h