ROAD hauliers in west Wiltshire have cautiously welcomed Chancellor Gordon Brown's package of measures which will cut road costs.

In his mini-budget, Mr Brown surprised many with his £6 billion package, which includes a freeze on fuel duty, cuts in the price of "green" petrol and slashing vehicle excise duty for cars and lorries.

The package is the equivalent of a 4p cut in petrol to motorists and an 8p cut in diesel to hauliers. A reform of vehicle excise duty could save operators an average of £715 a year.

Jonathan Ovens, who runs a 30-vehicle international haulage business in Broughton Gifford, near Melksham said: "The moves are a help, I think he has done a lot more than I expected him to do."

The family business was established in 1865 by Mr Ovens' great-great-grandfather.

Mr Ovens said he was waiting to see the finer details before celebrating. "It has been very difficult. We are running an international operation here and are having to compete with foreign companies."

He welcomed the cuts in vehicle excise duty and said he now looked forward to the level playing field the Chancellor had now appeared to set.

Mark Rygor, director of Rygor Group Services, based in Westbury, was encouraged but cautious.

He said: "So long as it is as straightforward as that. Often when they introduce legislation there are conditions attached. You have to pay to save."

However, Terry Woodman, owner of Melksham-based Wells Transport, believes his small company of three lorries will be no better off than before.

He said: "The tax freeze on diesel will make no difference at all. It is just a bit more spin from the Chancellor.

"He is just trying to find a way to stop the fuel protests but they are inevitable. The simplest way to make him listen is to gridlock London."

Roderick Lloyd, owner of Lloyd Transport, on the Bowerhill Trading Estate, said he may leave the haulage business after 30 years if things do not improve.

He said: "The Chancellor thinks he has done this marvellous thing but he hasn't.