Consultation launched on proposals to cut red tape for freight industry

A package of measures promised as part of the Red Tape Challenge is being launched for consultation by Roads Minister Stephen Hammond today. The consultation looks at ways of streamlining the way in which operators have to comply with regulations around drivers' hours; tachographs and the support of green technology.

Stephen Hammond said: “We asked the industry to let us know what pieces of red tape they found time-consuming or unnecessary.

“We have listened to what operators had to say and are taking action to put their suggestions into practice. We are committed to giving Britain’s businesses the freedom to create jobs and build a strong economy. Getting rid of badly thought-out or obsolete regulations is part of that.”

The proposals include:

– Exempting vehicles carrying cash/valuables from the EU drivers’ hours rules;

– Adopting the European timescales for downloading digital data to 90 days (it is currently 56);

– Removing three regulations related to recording driving hours from the statute books

– Incentivising the use of goods vehicles using greener technologies through the operator licensing system

The proposals would cut red tape for operators of commercial goods vehicles and passenger carrying vehicles.

The consultation will last for 10 weeks and will close on Friday 22 February 2013.

The consultation document can be viewed at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/red-tape-challenge-and-logistics-growth-review-commitments