Locog under fire from hauliers
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A LONDON HAULIER has had a petition presented in parliament urging Olympic organisers to give operators the freedom of access to their businesses during this summer’s Games.
The move reflects increasing frustration among businesses in Hackney that they are not being compensated for forthcoming road closures, therefore putting hundreds of people’s jobs at risk.
The petition, organised by Essex Flour & Grain chief executive Michael Spinks and presented by MP Meg Hillier to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (Locog), declares that “during the period of local road closures for the Olympic Games, local businesses (including Essex Flour & Grain) may be forced into liquidation as a result of an inability to receive and dispatch goods and that this may result in job losses”.
Spinks tells CM that despite two meetings with the Olympic Delivery Authority 18 months ago to discuss relocation costs, the issue is now being ignored.
The move comes as another Hackney haulier, Graham Phelps at Phelps Transport, is taking legal advice over whether he can sue Locog for not explaining how their businesses will be protected.
“We are just finalising the action we are going to take,” says Phelps. “The way they have been with us is very, very evasive so we have to cover every angle. We are due to make an announcement next week. It’s going to be quite big.”