Chamber of horrors
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THE London Chamber of Commerce and Industry is dedicated to making London a prosperous city and is opposed to any form of weight restriction in the Greater London area, said George Challis, a member of the Council of Commerce and of the London and Regional Affairs Committee.
The Chamber has over 7,000 businesses in all branches of industry and commerce in its membership. Virtually all these operations depend on road transport between warehouses, factories, ports and airports, Mr Challis explained.
A ban on heavy lorries would have the most serious effect on the "viability of London's industry and commerce," he pointed out. Transport costs would rise, leading to some firms closing down. This would create a "domino" effect on the businesses that they in turn supplied, Mr Challis predicted.
Some 80 per cent of all freight moved to and from London and virtually all freight within London is carried by road haulage, he said. "London's future prosperity depends on an efficient transport of freight. The manufacturing industry cannot function without it," he added. Although the Chamber encouraged the use of rail and water as other means of transport, the overall demand for "good road access to industrial premises" would always be present, Mr Challis said.