Availability is the Essential Ingredient

25-11-2005

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) have carried out their latest quarterly survey on the impact of the Road Transport Directive on the transport sector.

The survey reveals that flexibility provided by the regulations permitting 'Periods of Availability' (PoA) continues to be a key ingredient in the way that very many companies have organised their lorry operations.

Whilst many respondents experienced problems with the correct recording process for PoAs, that situation is now being overcome. The FTA says that any review of the Road Transport Directive must preserve the present arrangements, which work to the benefit of drivers, transport operators and the economy.

The Road Transport Directive has reduced the working week for lorry drivers to an average of 48 hours. However, the operational regulations provide that PoA, times when the driver is available for work but not actually working, do not count towards the 48-hour average.

Drivers support the operation of PoAs that have given them the opportunity to maintain earning capability. Vehicle operators have utilised PoAs so as to maintain customer service at this time of driver shortages. Analysis of working time and PoAs has also enabled some operators to review the extent of delays at delivery locations.

FTA Deputy Chief Executive James Hookham said, "Our survey shows that the costs of compliance with the Working Time Directive have been kept down by operators making extensive use of the flexibility that the regulations contain.

"In a year when fuel costs have gone up by almost ten per cent and look to stay high, these flexibilities have been a life-saver for many operators. It is absolutely essential that should the Government come to review the operation of the Directive, the flexibility provided by the regulations must be maintained. Failure to do so would result in higher costs for operators, lower wages for drivers and an unnecessary reduction in freight transport efficiency."

Other findings of the survey confirmed that the industry had successfully adopted the new regulations. Mutually beneficial workforce agreements had also been negotiated between employers and workers' representatives.

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