P LETTER OF THE WEEK
Page 20
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
'Transport is the country's Lifeblood'
WTT'HOUT ENTERING THE political debate, let's all sincerely hope that the incumbent of No.10 on 7 May will actually take a serious look at the road transport industry's transport manifesto.
The transport manifesto was drawn up at a summit of trade association leaders (reported in CM's sister publication Motor Transport 12 April) and has won the backing of the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association (ETA) to name but a few of the industry's leading voices.
The manifesto contains excellent, commonsense proposals that are both feasible and practical and that will aid our currently ailing industry (to read the full manifesto, go to www.roadtransporlcomielection2010). Now what is needed is for someone to take up these ideas and actually DO something.
Transport is the lifeblood of this country and — by way of example — how easily has the big freeze in January been forgotten? Snow that managed to whip the public into a frenzy of angst and resulted in panic buying at supermarkets; shoppers buying in fear that the shelves may never be stocked again.
For us enlightened souls who knew that distribution would resume as soon as the roads were safe, this did not present a problem. What it should have done is highlight to the government the vital role that distribution plays in every person's life!
However, the snow is now a long distant memory and so it is left to us to keep highlighting the importance of our industry. Transport and logistics is the main artery of this country, pumping goods onto shelves, shop floors, production lines and consumers' homes every hour, of every day, of every week — keeping the country moving.
Despite the encouraging research by the FTA, that revealed 84% of the general public did know the value of haulage, at grass-roots level there is still much convincing to be done.
Many still see us as a threat: congesting the roads, polluting the air and causing accidents. This opinion seems to be supported by the powers that be, who regulate and tax us in astounding proportions and so far, flatly refuse to bring any kind of relief to the UK transport sector.
We are also an industry that is completely aware of the environment and we are individually and collectively moving forward in leaps and bounds with telematic technology, engine specifications and greener warehouses. We are also a sustainable industry, in that goods will always need to be delivered and therefore transport will always be required; subsequently, there will always be a need for employment.
We are taxed. regulated, and rigorously checked on every aspect of our livelihood. question if MPs would have got in such a mess if they too had been regulated like us?
The UK transport artery is slowly being severed: each week we see hard-working hauliers being lost to insolvency, or simply shutting their doors — no longer having the resource or fight left, to keep going and we need action NOW.
We need a political splint to keep the lifeblood of our businesses flowing, whether it is the decoupling of duty on diesel, or a UK vignette system that would provide vital funds to maintain and improve roadways.
This is probably the best chance in the next four years to reach out to the politicians, while they are listening, and galvanise some positive support for our industry, our country and most importantly, our livelihoods.
Becky Young
Group sales and marketing manager Cranleigh Freight Services