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16th July 1998, Page 26
16th July 1998
Page 26
Page 26, 16th July 1998 — letters
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Do you want to comment on any of the stories in Commercial Motor? 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 11203, 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.Brignallothi.co.uk Letters may be edited for length and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor.

Congestion threat

Ihave just read with interest the report by Karen Miles on 44-tonne operations and the decision of chemical manufacturing company Albright & Wilson to complain to the Government that it will cancel its proposed shift to rail if 44-tonne general haulage comes to fruition (CM 2-8 July).

I cannot comprehend the arrogance of this company in the way that it blatantly uses road congestion as a threat to try and block possible legislation.

The reason that over 90% of this county's freight is moved by road is obvious to anyone who has to have a product moved from A to B—convenience. The problems associated with trying to move goods by rail mean that it is just not worth the bother. In many cases the goods are at their destination when moved by road, when, by rail, they wouldn't even have started their journey. Don't misunderstand me. I am not anti-rail by any means, but until it can compete on a level playing field it will always be the poor relation in the transport debate. The only way it can hope to compete is by vastly improving its infrastructure and management and not by placing unfair shackles on road transport.

As a footnote, I would be very interested to hear from someone within the rail lobby who could convince me that they could move heavy sludge from Humberside to Manchester more cost effectively and quicker than it can be done by road.

It all comes down to market forces. Would the housewife be happy to wait until 14:00hrs to buy her fresh bread or milk?

We must have 44 tonnes and have it soon. Countless companies have spent fortunes hedging their bets when replacing vehicles because of the indecision of the previous government. Why 44 tonnes? Because the country needs it!

Ralph R Roberts, Glasgow


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