Document Actions
Press Releases
Up one levelRHA welcomes inquiry findings on Britain's worst road
05/08/2008The Road Haulage Association has welcomed the findings of an independent inquiry into improvements to the major trunk road between London and the East Coast the A12. Currently classified as ‘of regional importance’, it carries the dubious reputation of being dubbed Britain’s worst road.
RHA National Training's unique CPC structure gets record results
01/08/20082 years ago, RHA National Training broke the mould that had restricted the options available for studying Freight Management CPC.
RHA welcomes progress on new haulage penalty scheme
25/07/2008The Road Haulage Association has welcomed progress on a new sanction regime for trucks. The Graduated Fixed Penalties, Financial Penalty Deposit and Immobilisation Schemes consultation is published today by the Department for Transport.
RHA welcomes MPs' findings on foreign trucks
21/07/2008The Road Haulage Association has welcomed the findings of the Transport Select Committee that the high fuel taxes UK hauliers pay compared with their EU rivals are clearly unfair and that the Government should take action.
RHA welcomes 2ppl duty freeze but wants to see more
16/07/2008The Road Haulage Association has welcomed the announcement that the 2 pence per litre increase in fuel duty proposed for October is to be postponed but considers it to be a very small step indeed towards helping the industry upon which literally every home and business in the UK is totally reliant.
RHA disappointed at Conservative sense of timing
07/07/2008The Road Haulage Association is disappointed at the timing of the latest Conservative proposals for a Fuel Duty Stabiliser.
A personal message from RHA National Chairman, Andy Boyle
30/06/2008"Add YOUR voice and make our industry HEARD"
2nd July - UK Hauliers take to the streets of London
30/06/2008Wednesday 2 July 2008 will see hauliers from all corners of the UK meet in London for what is set to be the biggest display of industry unity in recent years when members of the Road Haulage Association, the lobby group TransAction 2007, the Transport Association and other industry bodies make their voice heard.
RHA takes leading role in unique fuel duty policy
27/06/2008At an emergency meeting of the International Road Transport Union (IRU) in Brussels yesterday, the world body for the road transport industry drew up a resolution designed to put a united response to the current fuel price crisis to the EU Commission.
2nd July 2008 - UK Hauliers Unite in Day of Action
26/06/2008On Wednesday 2 July 2008, members of the Road Haulage Association, the lobby group TransAction 2007 and the Transport Association will take the fuel issue to the heart of the Nation's capital to ensure that soaring fuel prices and the highest levels of fuel duty in Europe are top of the political agenda. And while convoy of Heavy Goods Vehicles makes its way from the M40 Westway south to Westminster, a large foot lobby will be taking the message to the Houses of Parliament.
RHA to Unite in Industry Day of Action
19/06/2008As part of the industry day of action planned for 2nd July, the Road Haulage Association will be joining forces with other protest groups, primarily to support the Fuel Price Regulator amendment to the Finance Bill (expected to be debated at that time) and also the seek the introduction of an Essential User Rebate.
RHA takes over European Tow Show
17/06/2008The Road Haulage Association is pleased to announce it has taken over the European Tow Show following negotiations with Frank McAllister and Roy Jones the originators of this highly successful event.
Hauliers, Farmers and Fishermen fight for Fair Play on Fuel
13/06/2008The Road Haulage Association has added its voice to that of Scottish farmers and fishermen to press for urgent Government action on fuel.
Manchester Congestion Charge - "A Tax On Trucks" says RHA
10/06/2008The Road Haulage Association is concerned that Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has given the green light to Greater Manchester’s plans to introduce congestion charging by 2012 with seemingly very little consideration to the road freight sector on which industry in the area is so heavily reliant.
RHA disappointed at decision on Longer, Heavier Vehicles
03/06/2008The RHA today (03.06.08) expressed disappointment at Secretary of State for Transport Ruth Kelly's decision not to allow longer, heavier lorries on UK roads.
"Cut diesel duty NOW" urges RHA
02/06/2008As the latest Road Haulage Association fuel comparisons indicate, the average UK cost of a litre of diesel has risen by 8 pence per litre since mid-May. That equates to an increase in operating costs for an average HGV of just under £5,000 per annum.
RHA welcomes support for Fuel Duty Regulator
30/05/2008The RHA is delighted that Dr Stephen Ladyman MP and a group of parliamentary colleagues have proposed that Government establish a fuel duty moderator almost identical to the SNP/RHA proposal for a Fuel Duty Regulator.
Fuel Duty - Now for Real Action
30/05/2008After this week’s fuel price protest in London, the Road Haulage Association is pressing ahead with arrangements for a mass rally and lobby of Parliament in early July after getting the full support of the RHA Board of Directors.
RHA Board elects new Chairman
30/05/2008The Board of Directors of the Road Haulage Association has elected Andy Boyle of Herefordshire-based A.B.E. (Ledbury) Limited as its new Chairman.
RHA disappointment at Superfast Ferry news
28/05/2008The Road Haulage Association is bitterly disappointed at today’s news that Superfast ferries are pulling out of Rosyth.
Sarkozy's VAT Tax proposals are a "non-starter" says RHA
28/05/2008President Sarkozy's proposal that EU States should consider lowering the VAT rates on fuel was labelled a non-starter by the Road Haulage Association.
RHA to organise mass lobby of Parliament
19/05/2008The RHA announced today (19 May 2008) that the RHA Board will consider organising a mass lobby of Parliament on a date yet to be announced at its meeting next week.
"Government and haulage customers must respond to soaring fuel prices" says RHA
16/05/2008Large numbers of hauliers face being out of business by soaring fuel prices, warns the Road Haulage Association.
RHA 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 fundament