Catalogue description Road Haulage Organization

The Road Haulage Organisation was set up by the Minister of War Transport in March, 1943. Based on a series of voluntary agreements with the operators concerned, its objects were to secure maximum economy in the use of fuel and rubber, to maintain a fleet of long distance vehicles (which otherwise might have been out of action), in readiness to meet emergencies and to ensure that in times of stress, the fullest and most effective use could be made of the road transport resources of the country.

The organisation consisted of nearly 400 "Controlled Undertakings" whose haulage businesses were at the disposal of the Minister; about 2,700 "Hired Operators" who hired long distance vehicles to the Minister for the purposes of the Organisation and some 20,000 vehicles. It also comprised a Meat Section.

The organisation exercised direct control of the movement of nearly all general haulage for distances of 60 miles or more (as laid down by The Road Transport of Goods Orders, 1944 until revoked on 17th August, 1946), and nearly all road traffic other than long distance general traffic, of the Controlled Undertakings.

The organisation terminated its control on the 16th August, 1946 and was superseeded by a new scheme for an emergency reserve of vehicles, approved by the Minister and the National Council of the Road Haulage Association pending nationalisation of long distance road haul services.