Aggregate hauliers in the north are experiencing a rise in coal movements to power stations, with the boon likely to continue well into 2013.
One operator, County Durham-based Hargreaves Transport, said that since the autumn it has moved an extra 10,000 tonnes of coal per week.
"It is a very busy market at the moment," said Andrew Wolrich, Hargreaves' general manager.
Ray Engley, head of technical services at the Road Haulage Association, added: "There appears to be an increase in the amount of work on offer in the north for aggregate operators, particularly with the haulage of coal to the power stations."
The introduction of a carbon tax for power stations from 1 April seems to have been one factor in the demand spike, while a shortage of railfreight capacity has also helped, added Wolrich.
