Haulier John Pritchard says conditions of entry to the haulage
Page 50
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
industry should be much tougher if those remaining operators are to survive...
• If you want to sound off about a road transport issue write to features editor Pabic Cunnane or fax your views (up to 600 words) to Ificky Clarke on 0181652 8912.
d Iriread n with l and vE)apIrl ticheesarticles (:)b o dsel t athi I ieng hthaeevicious
serious effect on my business and my son, who is in the process of taking over, says he will give it four years and if it does not turn around he will leave the industry.
However, there has been no mention of restructuring an industry where too many of us are chasing too little work which inevitably pushes rates down. This situation will not improve as the manufacturing base of our country is constantly being eroded. I
predict that in 10 years well be a market economy only. Already we are one of the most expensive places in the world to live. Big companies are squeezing the profits of those involved in the production and distribution of what they sell. How many family businesses survive in the high-street today? What then is the way forward?
We should demand that John Prescott examines the profits of the supermarkets. He undertook to do so in response to the agricultural industry but has yet to produce a report.
The Government should make it a legal requirement to pay in 28 days—it is a criminal offence not to do so in Holland. In addition to setting out conditions of carriage, the trade associations should set rates below which it would be illegal to work.
This could be done easily by reducing the national fleet to meet the demand, as happens in other countries. Traffic Commissioners could remove the Operator's Licences of those with frequent offences relating to tachograph violations and poor maintenance— and indeed simply reduce the number of 0-licences they issue in the first place. Operator's Licence applicants should be required to produce supportive evidence of work availability in addition to the normal financial and maintenance conditions already required.
Vehicle excise duty should be replaced with a fuel tax for all vehicles— many of us cannot operate 24 hours a day, because of our clients' business, so why should we pay the same as those hauliers who do? The effect of this would be to force vehicle manufacturers to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles which would then lower emission levels.
We should impose a pollution tax on fuel sold within the urban fringe and use it to fund public transport—who is causing congestion on our roads: cars or trucks? I suspect it is the former with only one person in them. The reintroduction of electric trams and trolley buses should be investigated.
I believe that unless we have two-way communication with the Government we gain nothing and revert to the "dog-eatdog" mentality.