'Things look good
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)AD FREIGHT transport — and rticularly professional road 'Oars — can look forward to a ight future according to Road lulage Association director i.p.neral Freddie Plaskett eaking last weekend at the Ititute of Transport Adminis(tion annual conference in outhampton.
Mr Plaskett spelt out the asons for his optimism but ;o called for more expenditure • the Government and self-help )m the industry.
Reviewing the post-war dene of rail freight, Mr Plaskett id that the country will conlue to depend on the "reliable, ,xible road vehicle" in the reseeable future, even when ssil fuel runs out and we are to the age of nuclear and solar iwer.
Although anxious to improve a image of the lorry, Mr Plas kett said he is against a publicity campaign that asks the public to "love the lorry" — "we have to convince the public that without the lorry, living standards would drop dramatically."
Referring obliquely to CM's drive for an industry-wide campaign Mr Plaskett commented: "Knowing the tenacity of the gentleman concerned (editor lain Sherriff) I have no doubt that he will be successful in raising the money." For their part, road hauliers must present their best possible face, reasoned Mr Plaskett: "Good driving standards and clean vehicles will go a long way in improving the perceived image of the lorry operator."
Mr Plaskett declared that "successive British governments have failed to plan for the growth of road freight movements," pointing to the lack of motorways when compared with other European countries. He also criticised environmentalists who hinder road building and he added: "Maybe there is a case for the Government taking slightly more draconian powers to push through the road programme."
In terms of tonnage moved professional road haulage overtook the own-account sector in 1978-79 and Mr Plaskett predicted that hauliers — RHA members — will continue to grow as more own-account operations are phased out. But the increasing capital intensiveness of road haulage will mean that hauliers with just one or two vehicles will cease to dominate.
In reply to a question concern