The Freight Transport Association reports that freight companies are experiencing worse journey times on the roads, although hauliers have reported improved reliability on rail services.
The figures reported were for the period April-June 2011, compared with the same period last year. Approx 24% of freight operators said that journey times were slower, although times were worse on the urban road network than on motorways.
The report also said that freight activity increased most in Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England but companies in the southeast and midlands reported a fall in activity.