RHA welcomes VOSA enforcement of cabotage rules
The Department for Transport’s enforcement agency, VOSA, will now include cabotage as a matter of routine in all roadside checks of foreign trucks, to ensure they are not doing UK domestic haulage work to which they are not legally entitled. The move implements a shift that was flagged up as a clear intention under the previous government.
“This is a welcome shift in VOSA’s approach to cabotage which will make a contribution towards fair competition,” says chief executive Geoff Dunning. “Those drivers who break EU cabotage rules will face a £200 fixed penalty at the roadside, as a result of regulatory changes made by the Department after representations by the RHA.
“DfT’s new emphasis on cabotage enforcement recognises the need for fair competition within EU law. British hauliers work to high standards within a demanding regulatory framework; they are also disadvantaged by paying by far the highest fuel duty in the EU.
Under the new rules that came into effect on May 14, firms from one country are only allowed to do three domestic haulage operations in a period of seven days.
Meanwhile, the RHA has stressed to the new government – both the Treasury and the Department for Transport – the importance of VOSA’s enforcement activities in the current budgetary reviews. The bulk of the enforcement budget comes from the industry but the government’s contribution of £19 million this year is of great importance and should be maintained.
Road Haulage Association – phone us first
For more details, contact RHA Head of Media Relations, Kate Gibbs on:
Tel: +44 (0) 1932 838917
Mob: + 44 (0) 7979 531451
www.rha.uk.net
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