Act now Mr Brown
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What we need, says Chancellor Gordon Brown, is "a great national debate" on transport. No we don't. What we need, Gordon, is for you to do something. The time for talking, and listening, is over. You've been talked to for the past 18 months and you haven't done a thing. According to Mr Brown it would be "irresponsible to lurch from policy to policy". So who's asking you to lurch? You've had plenty of firm proposals from the industry on the table for over a year, any one of which would help alleviate its pain.
They indude (in no particular order of preference) the adoption of a fuel duty differential through blue diesel; special user credit cards or VAT adjustments; an Essential User Rebate or reductions in VD; and a UK Vignette for foreign trucks. Just how many escape routes do you need?
In fact, deciding on the best method of solving the problem is almost less important than a dear statement from the Chancellor saying that he plans to do anything at all.
Meanwhile, the two major trade associations remain as divided as ever. The FTA is calling for a 15p/lit cut in duty for truck operators; the RHA wants a blanket 3op off for all road users, including motorists. What on earth for? What has the Great British Motorist ever done for the road haulage industry?
And if we're going to have a cut in duty, let's have one big enough to do some good. The 6o-day dock's still ticking, Gordon. So don't just stand there... DO something!