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II EDITOR'S COMMENT
Page 5
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POLITICAL WEIGHTS
• Slowly but surely the details of Labour's 10,000 word transport policy document are becoming known. Top figures within the Labour Party have made it clear they believe transport is a likely vote-winner at the next election and shadow transport spokesman John Prescott wants to set the agenda for debate. A former merchant seaman, Prescott predicts "Labour will dominate the argument on transport during the next two years of campaigning."
Judicious leaks ensured that high-profile policies such as random breath tests and increased investment in railways have captured the headlines. Look more closely, however, at the policy proposals as they affect road transport and you find a selection of measures which are not ruled by political expediency.
Prescott appears to have bitten the bullet and recognised that Britain's haulage industry will be ludicrously handicapped by the 38-tonne truck weight limit set by former transport secretary Paul Channon until 1999.
He seems to be ready to accept the transport industry's argument that heavier trucks should be allowed, though their operations should be limited to major roads. The proposals have been ratified by Labour's policy committees but now have to be accepted by the party's national executive committee. It is to be hoped that the NEC proves as brave as Prescott and faces the reality of road transport in Europe.
Encouragingly, the Government is also showing greater realism in its approach to the road transport industry. Suggestions that new roads and traffic minister Robert Atkins will announce an early increase in maximum artic lengths will be met with a considerable sigh of relief by a British trailer industry which is needlessly hampered by the arbritrary date chosen by an obstructive Paul Channon. Of course, as seasoned Parliment watchers, the industry must wait and see whether these small hints of a sensible approach to transport are translated into concrete measures. But the omens are good — and about time Loo.