FLEET managers are stepping into the unknown because of the Government's muddled transport policy, a crumbling road system, the oversupply of used cars and changing environmental attitudes, a leading fleet service provider has warned.

Overdrive's director of customer services, James Langley, FICFM, outlined what he believes are the major stumbling blocks that face decision makers at the firm's recent Strategic Briefing in London, and urged fleets to ensure they can react to the changing environment quickly and efficiently.

He said: 'There is nothing about today's fleet market that suggests there will be any lessening in the level of uncertainty about the future.

'Transport policy and infrastructure in the UK are in dire straits and the closer we get to the next election without signs of improvement, the greater will be the temptation for the government to do something drastic.

'More than ever as we sail into utterly uncharted waters there is a critical need to maintain a high level of intelligence about the marketplace and a need to speedily evaluate and respond to new and emerging opportunities.'

Langley called the Government's transport policy 'a mess', saying: 'There is a danger of a precipitate move on taxes or tolls as pressure grows on the government to be actually seen to do something – anything.

'The overall reality however, is the imbalance between journey costs of cars and public transport, the former costs far too little and the latter far too much.'

He concluded: 'Fleet suppliers need to stay flexible and light on their feet in order to be able to react quickly to rapid changes in the market environment.'