World Cup trucking embargo fears allayed

With less than a hundred
days to go before the world’s
biggest sporting event kicks
off in South Africa, no
definite plans are yet available
around the movement of
freight in the country during
the 2010 Fifa Soccer
World Cup.
While no official
embargoes have been put
in place, except for the
movement of abnormal cargo
in Gauteng and the Western
Cape, newly appointed
director general of the
transport department, George
Mahlalela, is on record
saying while there will be
no interference around the
delivery of fuel and food for
the tournament, road freight
activities could be limited.
DoT officials have
confirmed that the finalisation
of plans around the movement
of road freight is under way,
but several attempts by FTW
to get a copy of the plan
have been unsuccessful. A
spokesman for the DoT said
the plan would be available in
the next two weeks.
In the meantime Mahlalela
told media that road hauliers
could expect a range of
limitations placed on the
movement of freight – from
trucks being diverted
off certain roads to the
prohibition of using specific
roads at specific times.
Mahlalela did however say
that for the most part business
would not be affected too
much and continue as normal.
According to the Gauteng
DoT, the decision to place an
embargo on the movement
of abnormal cargo for the
duration of the World Cup
has much to do with not
wanting to over-extend
the capacity of its law
enforcement agencies while
also preventing any major
traffic hiccups or congestion
on the province’s roads.
According to Gavin Kelly,
spokesman for the Road
Freight Association (RFA),
the association has been
in constant talks with the
Department of Transport as
well as the Local Organising
Committee for the World Cup,
and more definite information
will be forthcoming closer to
the event.
“At this stage though
we have the guarantee that
there will not be an embargo
on freight and that trucks
can move freely around
the country during the
tournament. It is however
imperative that operators
avoid areas around soccer
stadiums on or close to
match days.”
This also goes for public
viewing areas and fan parks.
“Much of it is common sense.
If you have a delivery to
make at Ellis Park – do so
before or after the match,
not on the day. Make sure
you know where your
trucks are delivering and
on what days. Take note of
the match schedule and plan
accordingly.”
While discussions with authorities
have been in progress
since 2006, there is still no
confirmation on whether any specific roads will be closed
off to trucks or whether
they will be prohibited from
travelling on certain routes.
“As far as we know there are
no plans to restrict freight
and we don’t expect this to
change. We are however trying
to get information from
the various host cities on
their transport plans to help
operators plan their truck
movements during
the event.”
According to Kelly the
rumour mill has fuelled
much of the debate around
road freight restrictions and
the World Cup. “There is
no doubt that there will be
restrictions around traffic
flow around match days at
the stadiums but this will
affect all road users not just
trucks. Rumours have been
strong though that trucks
won’t be allowed on the
roads and that business will
come to a standstill. We
don’t envision anything
like this.”
He said in some cases
the probability existed that
smaller trucks would have
to be used for deliveries
specifically around the
stadiums but that would still
have to be confirmed.