The government has paved the way for European cabotage laws to be relaxed during excessively busy periods.

These regulations were brought in to enhance safety and efficiency in the freight industry and they stipulate that every haulier is entitled to carry out three cabotage operations over a seven-day period.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, these restrictions are causing problems in the automotive industry, especially when vehicle deliveries spike in March and September.

These two months account for one-third of the UK's new vehicle registrations - with 400,000 models being sold in each - and companies need help from foreign hauliers to ship these cars.

In order to ease the situation, the government has sanctioned a temporary removal of cabotage restrictions, allowing HGVs to carry an unlimited number of complete cars and vans between February 22nd and March 31st and August 25th to September 30th.

Nigel Base, SMMT commercial vehicle manager, said: "It will enable the smooth running of these busy periods, maintaining the UK's current strength in new car sales and helping to boost our economy as registration volumes continue to grow."