The FTA has told the government that its regulations to apply the Working Time Directive to the transport sector should provide flexibility to the industry, and extending the reference over which average working time is calculated.
FTA says that the economy depends on the efficient delivery of goods to their market when required. It is essential for the government to provide maximum flexibility allowed by the Directive, while still protecting the health and safety of personnel.
Research carried out by the FTA has shown that the impact would be so significant that it would result in them finding it necessary to relocate complete operations with consequent effects on costs and the employment of individuals. The FTA also believes that an inhibition on night work operations will result in forcing lorry operations into day time working, which would bring an increase in costs and congestion to the disadvantage of all road users.