Tunbridge Wells, UK: According to the latest quarterly transport activity survey by UK trade association FTA, respondents reported that the extent of growth in domestic road freight activity fell back in the first quarter of 2011 but was expected to increase in the second quarter.
Activity levels across the sectors were varied in the first three months, showing that growth for operators is still fragile and patchy. Increased activity is expected across all sectors in the second quarter. Freight activity levels rose in the first three months across some UK regions, with the North and Midlands seeing the strongest level of growth.
Respondents also reported that the demand for new commercial vehicles increased during the first quarter but still remains fragile. As the weather improved at the start of 2011, respondents reported that the deterioration in journey time reliability across the entire road and rail network eased.
