Stone Age transport
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• I have been reading the letter pages in Commercial Motor about how various people think the transport system in the UK should go. It's clear that Judith Hanna and her group's views (CM 28 Oct-2 Nov) make very little sense at all and also those of Don Mathew and his waterways whose views don't even come into the realms of common sense to compare the UK with Germany and the US.
It's the incompetent people you should blame — in the Government and Opposition parties — that have made such a mess of the system. Just look at the Al, for example. It's only just been decided to up-grade it to motorway standard — it should have been done years ago. Roads like the MI and the M25 are just bad jokes.
The present Government's policy and past ones have been dreamt up by a load of overpaid, ignorant, toffee-nosed civil servant who just haven't got a damn clue. It's ordinary working people like us who have to put up with it and clear up the mess. It's about time they got out in the real world.
I shudder to think what the Germans, Italians, French and so on are going to think of our road and rail systems when more of them come over with the Single Market.
Our transport system belongs in a different era, it appears to be so backward and second-rate (maybe it's Stone Age).
We cannot really get out of this mess, so, let's stop bickering about what's best out of road, rail and waterway transport.
Robert Watson, Yaxley, Peterborough, Cambs.
Professionals on show
• I have to agree totally with Mr Molloy of Silentnight Beds regarding the lack of coverage in your journal of the Lorry Driver of the Year finals (CM 7-13 Nov). I realise that it was quite some years ago that Commercial Motor was actually the sponsor, but why do we miss these opportunities?
Similarly the Transport and Distribution Manager of the Year contest recorded just a small paragraph. Surely full-page news coverage would have been more than justified to let the outside world know that there are dedicated professionals in the road transport industry.
C R West, Kertainer (UK), Rainham, Essex.
Pivotal document
• You reported in Commercial Motor (14-20 Nov) on an appeal which I lodged on behalf of my client, Ms Jane Chambers.
Your report, unfortunately, could be misconstrued to read that my client deliberately entered a false document. I would point out that His Honour Judge Wilson accepted my submission that my client "was most probably unaware that the maintenance agreement was not correct and constituted a false document".
His Honour's comments on opening the appeal made the point that this document was 'pivotal', His Honour did not say, as you report, that there was no point in persuing other elements of the appeal.
He said "I suggest that in the best interests of your client the other elements of the appeal be left unexplored".., thereby leaving my client free to make a fresh application with a correct maintenance contract which is now in the process of being made. C Ward, Senior Consultant, Ward International Consulting, Fareham, Hants.
Photo developments
• I noticed that the 7-13 November issue of Commercial Motor carried an article about "Licence photos" and stated that drivers would have to have their pictures on their licence from 1995.
The latest position on this matter is that the DVLA will soon be carrying out a feasibility study to determine how best to proceed with this initiative. There are important strategic and administrative issues which first need to be resolved before any definitive plans are agreed.
It is, therefore, rather premature to stipulate any introduction date for this initiative. In any event, it is not envisaged that we will recall all licences but that the process will be a gradual one and require a number of years to complete.
M Rossell, Head of drivers policy and business development branch, 1)VLA, Swansea.
• I have for many years been worried by the increasing trend towards curtainsiders and box vans for the haulage of general goods. The reason being the apparent acceptance that the material on tilt sides will hold 20 tonnes plus in the event of the vehicle making a violent movement. For instance, unaccompanied curtainsided trailers on Irish traffic are loaded with just about anything that they can stuff into them and there is no question of securing the load as the driver would never see his equipment again. In any event, the value of a good set of ratchet straps would be greater than the haulage rate.
Continental vehicles notably the French, seem to depend entirely on their `savoir faire' to hold it on as I have frequently seen full loads of machinery carried without any means whatsoever of securing.
Many drivers who consider themselves experienced and capable are horrified when faced with a 30m rope and have no idea whatsoever about a 'hitch' or a 'barrel hitch'.
A great deal of the problem is that the industry is now being run by accountants who very quickly catch on to the fact that it is expensive to tie things down and to be avoided if possible.
I would estimate that more than half the loads on the motorway at any given time are not secured properly and if one gives it too much thought then one would never use a motorway.
To drive a police car for seven hours a day or so on motorways would be an even more daunting prospect if they knew the dangers hidden inside curtainsiders and tilts. A Tonge, Nuneaton.
Commercial Motor welcomes readers' letters, which can be phoned in on 01-661 .9689 (24-hour service). Letters may be edited for length and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor.