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I am replying•to the recent letters regarding the new regulations which apply from January 1, 1978, and the article regarding the Government White Paper.
I have been in transport all my life and in business on my own account since 1965. I have seen transport in this country continually loaded with regulations since the early 1960s.
Although I agree with the Common Market and the benefits which can be obtained by the country as a whole, as one who voted for it, this 281-mile limit is ludicrous, to say the least.
William Rogers thinks he has made a good deal talking the French round, and has come out of the conference room believing he has done a wonderful thing for Britain. Little does he realise the effect of the additional costs, which will, in turn, be passed on to the British public after January 1.
One most important point to take into account is the unfairness, insomuch as the operator using an eight-wheeler has no mileage restriction whatsoever. But those like myself, who have accepted the continual supply of new laws over the years, and have decided to invest in the articulated vehicle for reasons of interchangeability and economical operation, which it offers, now find ourselves in a position of unfair competition with those who have bought the eight-wheeler. This, to me, seems completely unacceptable.
Over the years the Road Haulage Association, of which I have been a paid-up member since I have been in business, can only advise about what these new laws are going to be and what we, as haulage contractors, are expected to do to conform to the new regulations.
I am writing this letter because I think it is time for the transport industry to say to the Government "enough is enough,'" and we as transport men are not prepared to accept this regulation.
I have no doubt, after talking to union officials, that the unions will give their support.
If the Government wants to make laws in this way, adequate parking facilities and overnight accommodation should be provided at strategic points all over the country, where vehicles can be parked and trailers dropped, accommodation is provided for drivers, telephones work, and there are clean toilets, good food, re-fuelling and maintenance facilities.
I say this because at the present time we are in a situation of "hit and miss". Unfortunately, our drivers when pulling into motorway services are told: '"We are full up;" "You cannot stay here," "Move on to the next one "All overnight accommodation has been taken up," and so on. We, as haulage contractors, and our employees should not have to put up with this awful arrangement.
First things first: the Government should provide all the facilities mentioned before imposing any mileage limit or reduction in the ten-hour day.
Let us have "fairplay'" and let us get together.