RHA Chief Executive, Richard Burnett says he welcomes a “totally different, pro-active” approach from new British Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps.
The two met at the Department for Transport in London for the first time since Shapps replaced Chris Grayling and discussed issues such as driver shortages and Brexit.
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“This has a totally different feel in terms of the government listening to the haulage and logistics sector and I’m really looking forward to working with the new Secretary of State,” said Burnett.
“It’s good to see he understands the challenges we are facing over Brexit and it’s encouraging he promised greater clarity on the processes traders will have to go through in the event of a no-deal at the end of October.
“The RHA has been critical about the lack of clarity over new customs processes and the complexity of the tasks involved in customs form filling.
“He sees the challenges ahead both in terms of the movement of goods on the island of Ireland and also at the ports, including the Dover Straight and has promised much more information. He told us he would be as helpful as he possibly can be to the sector.
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By GlobalData“We look forward to seeing that in the coming days and weeks but his energy and understanding on the issue is very welcome.”
The move follows three senior British Ministers recently travelling to the Port of Dover to meet representatives from the haulage and freight industries to discuss plans for the UK’s planned Brexit date of 31 October, by which new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has pledged the country will leave the European Union (EU).
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, Home Secretary, Priti Patel and the new Transport Secretary, visited Dover, which is Europe’s busiest ferry port, to evaluate plans to ensure traffic continues to flow smoothly post-Brexit.
