The FTA was responding to last week's publication of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee' Freight Transport report.
According to FTA director of external affairs, Geoff Dossetter, UK transport continues to face intense competition from foreign lorries working in the UK on cheap continental fuel and operating on safety standards that are not acceptable in the UK.
"The Committee has hit the bullseye when it says that it is unfair for UK hauliers to subsidise their continental competitors through high levels of taxation, eight years after the government announced proposals to address the problem," said Dossette, adding that diesel duty for UK transport is 50p per litre, compared with the EU average of just 25p per litre.
"Similarly, we can only agree with the Committee when it says that it is ‘astonished' that the government has abandoned plans to charge foreign lorries on UK roads without offering any alternative."
The FTA has also welcomed the Committee's recognition of the prospects for increasing out-of-hours deliveries following the introduction of improved vehicle technology and enhanced environmental protection schemes. Delivering goods at night saves time and money and helps to reduce daytime congestion.
