Retail giant Tesco is taking a substantial share of its freight off the roads, according to reports.
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The move, which coincides with a call from Tory MSP Murdo Fraser for HGV cargoes to be coaxed from, in particular, what he calls the “killer A9” and onto the railways, is being backed by haulage industry representatives.
However, they have stressed there is currently insufficient spare capacity on the rail network to make any significant difference.
Up to ten Tesco lorries are believed to travel on the A9 each day and industry sources have suggested Tesco is finalising a deal to switch freight to another form of transport.
Labour north MSP David Stewart had recent discussions with Tesco, according to the Press and Journal. He has written to it and to Northern Constabulary to call for action in the short term to encourage truck drivers to pull over to allow overtaking.
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By GlobalDataHe said: “People face difficulties on the A9. While most people contacting me support having Tesco in their communities, they made a number of useful suggestions on ways to either get the lorries off the road or make life easier for those using the A9.”
Only last month, Scottish Government statistics showed the A9 Perth to Thurso route had the highest fatality and accident rate of all Scotland’s roads over the past five years.
The director of the Road Haulage Association in Scotland, Phil Flanders, welcomed the prospect of fewer lorries on major routes: “That would be good news because the Tesco lorries are some of the ones that stick to the speed limit.”
Green Party spokes-woman Eleanor Scott said: “In the past we’ve had a lot of concerns about the way supermarkets operate, their attitudes to producers, their excess packaging and about their food miles. Having said that, I welcome this move. It would certainly get some big lorries off the road.”
Tesco were today (2 May) unavailable for comment.
