Opposition from the Overlord?
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from our political correspondent
The appointment of Mr. Anthony Crosland as overlord Minister responsible for co-ordinating housing, planning and transport, will almost certainly further delay a Government decision about raising the weight limits of lorries.
• Mr. Crosland, who will be much • concerned with amenities and prevention •
• of pollution, will be taking a long hard look
• at the implications of the proposal which has strong backing in the road haulage industry. Privately Mr. Crosland, who is a member of the Noise Abatement Society, is said to be basically opposed to a rise in the limit from 32 to 44 tons. Very strong • arguments will have to be made to persuade him that the economic case for • art increase of this dimension outweighs social arguments against it. Although Mr.
• Crosland has let it be known that he does •• not intend to concern himself greatly with • the day-to-day running of the Ministry of • Transport, he Will certainly be very much • • involved in the weight issue. • He considers the whole question as • • •
• •
• • • • •
being central to his brief to safeguard social amenities and he is not at all happy about the effects of larger vehicles on life in small towns and villages. The amenities societies see Mr. Crosland's appointment as an important factor in this campaign to quash the pressure by the industry for a large increase in the weight limit.
Mr. John Connell, chairman of the Noise Abatement Society, said this week: "We are pinning our hopes on Mr. Crosland as one of the few Ministers with a social conscience.'" Mr. Connell's society is being joined in its fight by RoSPA and the Society for the Preservation of Ancient buildings.
Some MPs interested in transport matters believe that the Government, intent on steering clear of contentious legislation in the pre-election period, may put the whole question into limbo for the time being by spinning out the consultations which are taking place with the varidus interested parties.