...but the dismayed HFA may not bother
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• The Hauliers and Farmers Affiance is weighing up whether to press ahead with its demonstration planned for September in the wake of "the disaster that happened at Dover".
At a meeting last week, HFA members discussed their disappointment at being let down by 200 hauliers and lobby groups who had pledged support for the Dover protest (CM. 3-9 August). These included Dover-based Coombe Valley Transport, which had originally promised to send 20 vehicles but on the day declined, and Trans-Action.
Nobody from Coombe Valley Transport was available to comment on its U-turn. But Trans-Action's own excuse was that it was only going to get involved if others took action— which clearly failed to happen.
"If we had seen 200 vehicles come down we would have joined in," says
Trans-Action organiser Frank Stears. "Unless we all present a united front nothing will be done."
Meanwhile HFA chairman Len Johnson says the demo planned for September is now "looking a bit doubtful". Instead, the alliance is looking at the possibility of joining forces with other groups such as the Countryside Alliance and Farmers for Action.
The poor turn-out was caused by "a combination of factors", says Johnson, Some hauliers were scared of getting involved for fear of damaging their repute. But the largest contributory factor was apathy, admits Johnson.
"We were really disheartened," says Michael Dodds, of Michael Dodds Transport and an HFA member, "It was a real kick in the teeth."
• See Letters, page 17 and Sound Oft page 48.