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Unsure unhappy undecided

14th April 2005, Page 24
14th April 2005
Page 24
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Page 24, 14th April 2005 — Unsure unhappy undecided
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

On 5 May the UK will get its chance to choose its govern ment. But most of you feel the parties haven't even addressed your issues.

TACKLING CRIME looks likely to be a major issue for operators in the General Election, according to the latest Commercial Motor/Michelin Business Monitor.

This month's survey reveals that despite a number of new initiatives to help tackle truck crime, a in-owing proportion of operators are, nevertheless, becoming victims.

While, overall, the number of operators who were the victim of crime fell to 16%, compared with 17% in the fourth quarter of last year, the number of serious crimes rose.Almost half these crimes (43%) were vehicle or load thefts, down from 70% in the fourth quarter.

Uncertainty

More worryingly,12% of operators were assaulted in the last quarter, up from 4% in the fourth quarter. And while the police say they are taking truck crime more seriously, operators are not convinced the proportion expressing satisfaction with the police fell 34% to just 16%.

Operators are planning to try to use the General Election to raise the issue, with 90% planning to vote on 5 May, despite turnout across the UK expected to be below 50%.

Around 20% of operators believe the Conservative party has the best transport policy,5% the Labour Party and 1% the Liberal Democrats. But a huge majority of 74% are still unsure which party would benefit them. in fact, 91% of operators do not believe the parties have clearly communicated what their transport policies are.

Uncommunicative

Despite the lack of knowledge about transport policies, 81% of operators suspect the Labour Party is not the best one to serve the interests of the transport sector for the future.They highlight discontent with its policies of more speed cameras; Lorry Road User Charging and increasing fuel duty, which led to the fuel protests in 2000.

Albert Jeffrey, from Stratford-uponAvon-based A Jeffrey (Transport), says: "The only way this government has helped us is in helping us to close down. It doesn't realise that it can't operate without road transport.

"I would like to see any future government help us to go back to being competitive with European operators by charging all foreign vehicles the same taxes as we pay to run over here; after all we have to pay road tolls if we go abroad." m


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