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Pricing out good practice
Page 26
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IAMWR1TING to discuss the current issues involving commercial engineering and the haulage industry.
My father, who owns commercial vehicle repairer Ray Butler & Sons. believes the haulage business is on a downward slope. Local hauliers from around the Derbyshire area are decreasing. in both fleet size and in number. The amount of work for commercial engineering companies is therefore also going down.
RMC Roadstone provides most of the work, as he repairs around 90% of its local fleet, but still that does not provide enough work. Prices of certain parts needed for repairs and services are, on the other hand, increasing in price.The number of HGV testing stations is also on the wane,for example the Croydon site in London.This means drivers have further to travel,simply in order to get their licence. And to top it all, there is the recent rise in fuel prices that has a huge effect on the industry.
I have written to transport secretary Alistair Darling on the subject of rising fuel prices, even although the north-west of England continues to be the cheapest place to buy fuel, and lam expecting a reply soon.
I would be grateful if you could include this letter in the next issue, as it's not only a fight for hauliers. but for related industries as well.
Sarah Butler (16) Whaley Bridge Derbyshire