Conservative Shadow chief secretary to the treasurer Philip Hammond will be in Dover on Thursday to talk to local hauliers about the problems they are facing.

Mr Hammond has been invited by Charlie Elphicke, the Conservative Parliamentary candidate who says he is concerned about the difficulties currently affecting the haulage industry.

"Many people locally tell me that the UK haulage industry faces unfair competition from rivals in the European Union," said Mr Elphicke.

"Lorry tax discs, high safety standards and fuel duties weigh on our businesses, whereas often they do not weigh so heavily on those from Europe.

"They come into Britain with extra fuel tanks, never to fill up, while our businesses face numerous additional toll charges on the continent for which no relief is available.

"I understand these concerns – but more than that, I think action is needed to level the playing field.

"So I have invited Philip Hammond who is responsible for tax policy in the Shadow Cabinet to come to Dover and hear for himself the concerns of the haulage industry and understand the steps that the industry would like to be taken to level the playing field."

The visit will include a tour of the Dover depot of Coombe Valley Transport where company boss Martin Husk will explain the situation.