RHA "Olympics to drive up haulage costs"

Thursday, 4 August 2011 9:54 AM

Haulage and distribution costs in and around London are going to rise significantly during the extended Olympic period, the Road Haulage Association has warned.

“Customers should expect significantly higher charges, as their transport suppliers gear up for the Olympics. Heavy congestion is expected across the London area as a result of an influx of people into the capital and significant restrictions to the road network aimed at getting Olympians to the Games on time,” says RHA director of policy Jack Semple.

“We have reviewed the information available from the Olympic Delivery Authority and Transport for London with members from across the industry and it is clear that we are going to need more trucks and more staff to meet the existing business requirements, let alone the needs of the Games themselves.

“Businesses in London should be aware that congestion is likely to impact on goods moving out of the capital, as well as in-bound deliveries.

The RHA is working to alert members, their customers and the roads authorities about the impact of the Games. Our key message is: “Don’t under-estimate the risks - plan ahead.”

“London is obviously the major area for the Olympics but we expect congestion problems at Weymouth and the other Olympic venues,” Semple said.

To see the RHA’s current assessment of risks in more detail, visit http://www.rha.uk.net/docs/internet/policy/olympics/Olympic%20policy%20briefing_Aug%202011.pdf

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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