Viva transport
Page 4
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THE AGENDA for the International Road Transport Union's 17th Congress which opens in Seville on Tuesday could have been prepared for a domestic gathering. The problems facing road transport operators in Britain, it seems, are no different from those of the rest of Europe.
The road /rail argument on mainland Europe is the same as ours. The anti-lorry lobbies of Europe are as vociferous and emotional as their British counterparts. It seems that not only British drivers experience inordinate delays at the borders of Europe or that British operators are the only ones who unwillingly carry the burden of heavy taxation.
The role of the IRU is important, it speaks to Governments on these common problems. It presents a united front for both freight and passenger .operators from its ''neutralheadquarters in Geneva.
However, many of its resolutions and subsequent representations to, the political groups are heard but unheeded. Matters of great importance to road transport and therefore the public in general have are given secondary consideration in political fields — this attitude is dangerously shortsighted.
The recent CM-Mercedes-Benz debate at Gleneagles highlighted the importance of transport to society, and no doubt the papers to be presented at IRU will be along the same lines.
Politicians must accept that transport is not an evil to be tolerated or a Cinderella to be abused. The IRU is putting the industry back in the limelight next week. Let us hope those in high places will view us with a new regard.