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Shadow Transport Secretary wants operators to help shape his policy
Page 7
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CHRIS GRAYLING MP has asked the road transport industry to talk to him about its problems to help shape his transport policy.
Speaking at the Commercial Motor/Shell Euro-4 1.000-Mile Test awards lunch last week. the Shadow Transport Secretary emphasised that effective solutions to many of the problems the industry faces must be found through discussion.
Grayling bemoaned the loss of Lorry Road User Charging, but did not suggest anything to take its place. However, he accepted the need to separate operators' taxation regime from that of motorists and to ensure that foreign hauliers contribute to the cost of transport infrastructure in the UK.
Grayling also highlighted security and parking issues as points of immediate concern. He called for the planning process for future business parks to include provision for overnight truck parking and driver facilities in order to eliminate the need for drivers to "sleep in a lay-by and relieve themselves in a hedge".
CM editor Andy Salter welcomed this chance for discussion. "It's not often the industry gets an open-ended invitation to educate a politician on its needs," he said. "Regardless of who wins the next election, it isn't an opportunity we should waste."