ii Hauliers have had an incredibly tough time in the
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past 12 months—not to say that before then the going had ever been easy. After running a successful haulage business for 17 years, being aware at all times of costs (vitally important to any business) and campaigning vigorously against the ludicrous path our government is taking, I threw in the towel. Losing a major customer was the final straw. It is ironic that a competitor undercut our rate by 15% when after the Budget they should have risen by 3.2%. When will we learn that, in order to give a first-class service, a decent rate must be applied and a return made on capital investment?
Before I decided enough was enough I wrote to my MP Owen Paterson who, with Shadow Transport Minister Bernard Jenkin, visited me at my Oswestry depot.
These two people proved to be the start of a sequence of events far beyond my wildest dreams.
The present government appears to have inherited a general lack of knowledge and regard for this vital industry, Unless it takes immediate steps to redress the balance on fuel and other issues, our industry will continue to suffer a fast decline into the millennium and beyond.
So what can be done? As a member of the RI IA and chairman of the Shropshire sub-region for the past seven years, I am often asked: "What will the RI IA do for me?". My answer is: 'Nothing— unless you are prepared to help yourself and commit a little of your already precious time to the RI IA."
Rightly or wrongly, many articles in the press have accused the RHA of sitting on the fence and doing nothing. In my opinion, those articles were wrong. We now have a forum for discussion with the Government—something the long-suffering farming industry never got, nor anyone else as far as I am aware. So don't tell me that nothing is being done.
True, it is a long, slow process, and I do not blame Trans-Action and all the other groups for what they are standing up and fighting for. I am at present fighting to save my house, having already lost everything from cars to pensions and life policies—but I will fight on. I know only too well that it is difficult when you are just about to go down, but if it is that bad, get out. It is a tough decision, I know, and if anybody needs help or advice, I am glad to give it.
I have learned a lot in the past few months. Some of you will feel so alone that you will not know which path to take next. But those of you who can carry on must try to support your association. Write to your MPs and make them understand how the industry is suffering.
My wife Gill and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to RHA members who have turned out to be true friends. It is at times like this that you find out who your friends are.
But it is sad to see so many people with their heads in the sand. If they do not band together now it will be too late for many of them. I just hope that when things come right—and they will if you continue to fight—the few will remember to thank the many who helped them.
I still have a great deal of support from my MP and the RHA, and I am determined to carry on this crusade for as long as it takes.