letters
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Do you want to comment on any of the stories in Commercial ■ 11,t,r? Does someone in the industry deserve a pat on the back—or a public dressing down? Or is there simply something you want to say to our readers? Don't keep it to yourself —drop us a line at CM letters, Rm H203, Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS. Alternatively, you can fax your letter to us on 0181 652 8971 or e-mail it to
Miles.Brigriall(4rbi.co.uk Letters may be edited for length and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor.
Never forget: road haulage is the lifeblood of the economy
I n recent weeks the pages of Commercial Motor have been full of stories about the shortage of drivers and how they are slipping down the social scale. I'm not doubting the truth of these stories, but maybe your readers would like to hear an outsider's appreciation of the industry.
Although I'm paid to drive a 17tonner, I happened to be on the M20 recently in my car, taking a couple of pals on a fishing trip. As neither of them works in road haulage I generally try to avoid boring them with too much gossip from the industry.
But one of them turned to me and commented on the non-stop stream of trucks heading to and from the Channel ports and the Channel Tunnel terminus, with number plates from all over the EU. He doesn't get out on motorways much (lucky man!) and told me he hadn't realised the sheer number of wagons on the road.
My other passenger agreed with him and both of them ended up making some complimentary comments about the role trucks play in the country's economy. Funnily enough their views allowed me to see my own industry in a different light.
I'm reminded that comments in CM about haulage being the lifeblood of the economy are the literal truth. If only drivers got a realistic rate for the job! Peter Scott, Guildford, Surrey.