Upset Frenchmen
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Why do French farmers feel they have to take to the streets every time they get upset about something?
You never see British farmers stopping French truck drivers going over the Ilirtford River Crossing or cows being herded into Trafalgar Square to bring traffic to a standstill.
And yet once again last week British hauliers faced massive disruption as French farmers stepped up their protests ((M 5-11 Sept).
I can understand they are angry about mad cow disease which has led to a fall in beef prices. And they are obviously unhappy about the import of non-al beef, but why do they have to take it out on the poor British truck driver? If he refuses to take the load he will lose the contract and there will be plenty of others u take his place.
Fortunately no drivers were injured or trucks damaged during the stoppages the other week when 15,000 farmers set up blockades on main roads and at toll gates. But how long will it be before the farmers are setting light to British trucks and intimidating drivers?
It's about time the British Government stood up for the good old British truck driver and gave the French a piece of their mind. Perhaps if we started banning truck loads of French Golden Delicious apples or Piat Dor wine, things would be different. James Weston, Silvertown, London.
Too much praise?
It was with some disbelief that I turned to the "driving impressions" column in CM and found an article which gave more accolades to the new Mercedes-Benz Actros than I could believe.
It included phrases like "the most significant truck launch of the '90sand "the standard by which heavy trucks will be judged". Not to mention ''electronic systems that set a new benchmark for heavy trucks".
You mention the Renault Magnum launched in 1990 and the Volvo HI launched in 1993, you then claim that it is now Mercedes Benz's turn to set the pace, what about the Scania Series?
A couple of weeks ago you sang the praises of Scania's new range of trucks and yet one visit to our European neighbours and the Swedes may as well have kept on plugging away with the 3 Series.
I cannot understand why you feel the need to be so excessively praise worthy of this particular manufacturer when with previous recent truck launches from Scania, Renault, MAN and Iveco, you always appear guarded with your praise. I can guess your vote for the 1997 Truck of the Year Award! Alasdair Morgan, laydock Commercials, Hoydock,Merseyside.
E We write as we find. The Magnum set the pace in cab design, tlw PH in aerodynamics. I was at the launch of the Volvo PH, Scania series and Mercedes Actros. While the Sauna 4-series is a very good truck—we've said so on several occasions, it larks 11w technical innovation of the Actros—slandard
allround disc brakes, standard Telligent gearshift plus electronic control and monitoring systems—all pave the way .tbr future developments. Finally, CM is not and has no•er been involved with the 7i-uck of the Year Award John Kendall, engineering editor.