Domestic road freight growth is at its lowest level yet, according to the Freight Transport Association's latest quarterly transport activity survey.

The survey, which reviews the industry trends in the first quarter of 2003 and makes predictions for activity levels throughout the industry for the second quarter, looked at the trends for road, rail, sea and air.

With an uncertain economy and fall in high street spending, it is unsurprising that the road haulage industry has begun to suffer.

Throughout 2001 and for most of 2002, activity levels for international hauliers fell steadily. Although there appeared to be a slight recovery at the end of 2002, levels are now falling significantly again.

The prospects for rail freight growth, however, remain encouraging. Even though activity growth next quarter is not anticipated to be as high as last quarter, none of the operators expect to decrease their use of bulk and conventional services.

The use of short sea shipping during Q2 2003 is anticipated to remain broadly unchanged. The few exceptions are Western Europe where exports are expected to fall and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean where import levels are expected to increase.

Trade levels on all deep sea trade routes are expected to fall with the exception of imports from India, the Far East and Australasia.