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GLOOMY OUTLOOK
Page 40
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• If you look at the road haulage industry in West Germany you cannot fail to notice the high standards of maintenance, cleanliness and modernity of its commercial vehicles.
It tends to indicate professionalism, which in my view as an international CV driver is not seen as readily in the UK.
The present government's open-market economic policy ensures that competition prevails in road transport haulage rates. Many reputable road hauliers have disappeared after many years' trading, to be re placed by potential "cowboys". This new breed of operator must duck and dive to undercut haulage rates to obtain work, then ceases trading, leaving debtors galore and drivers' wages and contributions unpaid — often to recommence under different names.
The integrity of the industry is undermined, confidence diminished and, most importantly, investment is not forthcoming. Vehicle fleets get generally older and maintenance systems become remedial rather than preventative.
Britain's international hauliers in particular have suffered severe competition from foreign hauliers, who may be state-aided. British road haulage is looked down upon by the general public, who perceive lorries to be a nuisance rather than a valuable service to industry and the consumer.
Parliament sees us as a low priority and those in the industry are, for the most part, working so hard to survive that they have little time to try and bring about a worthwhile working environment to secure the future up to and beyond 1992. MA Major, Bedminster, Bristol.