ETA wants Fowler to act on Armitage
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E ARMITAGE caravan hits the road again next week, with the ight Transport Association leading an industry deputation to rsuade Transport Secretary Norman Fowler to implement the ort, writes ALAN MILLAR.
TA director-general Hugh atherstone is to lead a group representatives from the Road ulage Association, the Society Motor Manufacturers and ders, the Confederation of itish Industry, the National rmers Union, the Chemical Inistries Association, the Food anufacturers Federation, the 'mere! Council of British lipping, the Glass Manufacturs Association, the Sand and avel Association, and the UK ricultural Suppliers Trade Aselation.
They want Mr Fowler to impleent the report in general and to ke a decision on the introducrn of heavier lorries.
While neither the ETA nor RHA 3nted to pre-empt the discus)ris when CM spoke to them is week, they are clearly conred about the lack of urgency th which the report has been
So far, only the comparatively "rail measures of extending the !ction 8 grants system to inid waterways and the facility transfer to a gross weightsed tax system (both in the
1981 Transport Act) have been implemented, along with the granting of drawbar length exemptions to showmen.
Armitage's proposed 44-tonne maximum weight lorry has already been rejected by Parliament (CM June 27), and hints from Europe suggest that the European Commission is moving towards recommending harmonisation around a six-axle 40-tonner.
There has been a widespread feeling that Mr Fowler has been unwilling to be embarrassed by being unable to deliver the harmonisation goods during his presidency of the EEC Transport Council, which ends in De comber, and that he has been playing for time by delaying taking action on Armitage.
But the industry is now beginning to be alarmed by the further possibility that Mr Fowler might not remain Transport Secretary for much longer.
His adherence to the Thatcher line has gained not only the favour of the Prime Minister, but also that of the Conservative Party faithful, and he is tipped for promotion.
Should Mr Fowler move in a reshuffle, a new Transport Secretary — few expect Junior Transport Minister Kenneth Clarke to be elevated so far — would need time to settle in, and the politically explosive measure of heavier lorries would once more be pushed under the carpet.