The number of UK lorries travelling to Europe in the second quarter of 2003 was down eight per cent on the same period last year according to latest statistics from the Department for Transport (DfT).
The Freight Transport Association's (FTA) latest quarterly transport activity survey recorded equally worrying figures. With 41 per cent of respondents reporting falls in international activity levels in the second quarter of 2003.
The DfT figures reveal that the majority of EU countries are also struggling. Only eastern European countries with cheaper vehicle operating and labour costs have seen sustained growth.
The total number of vehicles travelling to mainland Europe has risen by four per cent, but this is attributable to an increase in the number unaccompanied trailers as opposed to lorries.
FTA's chief economist, Simon Chapman, said: “Operators are taking advantage of the saving in freight costs and driver time that can be made by using unaccompanied trailers. UK hauliers are sending and receiving goods unaccompanied through North Sea ports, avoiding the congested south east improving their journey time, reliability and cutting costs.”
The UK's share of the market now stands at just 26 per cent compared with 52 per cent for the same quarter in 1996.
