Belfast, Northern Ireland: John Martin, RHA policy manager for Northern Ireland, has called on the UK government to do more to support NI hauliers through the Covid-19 crisis.
Martin has warned that haulage firms in the region are close to collapse as the economy struggles with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, adding that firms “are particularly vulnerable due to the reduction in ferry services limiting their access to Great Britain and the loss of outbound/return loads.”
Ferry operator Stena Line recently announced that it was reducing journeys between Belfast and Heysham.
Martin is calling for the government to do more to help struggling firms, as Nichola Mallon, minister for infrastructure, told Stormont: “As non-essential businesses close, the downturn in manufacturing and production has also had a significant impact on our hauliers and ferry operators.
“If we fail to maintain resilience in those supply chains, it will impact each and every one of us, and it could impact our ability to restore our economy when the health emergency recedes.”
A recent RHA survey found that 46% of the UK’s truck fleet is parked up due to a lack of work, and 25% of drivers are furloughed.
Martin said: “Many members in our recent survey said that a loan scheme wasn’t suitable to alleviate the financial pressures, given the sector’s small margins and the need to repay the loans with interest. They need grants, not loans.”
In a letter to the prime minister, the RHA called for a number of key measure to support the industry through the pandemic including: immediate cash grants, a business rates ‘holiday’ and fuel duty rebate.
