;urb lorry-bashers
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EST MIDLANDS Licensing Authority Arthur Crabtree very properly heard local thority opposition to an 0-licence application by Kings Norton haulier Frank z.lniernay (CM, May 9, p19). He granted the application, but one of the more Iportant considerations being that the applicant had occupied the premises for me time.
Seen in isolation, the West Midlands case is probably insignificant. But that would to take a blinkered view.
There has been increased local government opposition to 0-licence applications on a grounds of unsuitable premises. Few have succeeded mainly because the lerator was established before lorry-bashing became a national sport.
Another local government trend is to ban lorry parking without providing .ernatives. This has increased in recent months and almost certainly last week's anges at the seats of local power will bring another crop of prohibitions.
It is a popular ploy which pleases the electorate and costs nothing apart from the itation suffered by the operator and his driver.
The industry must waken watchdogs to yet another danger — the banning of heavy hides for any reason whatever. The eight-hour day is not far away, and to be ofitable vehicles must earn without unnecessary' mtaciesTike route bans or parking bans being. it in their path.
Intentions of local councils are published in advance F a decision, the industry must be on the alert to'. hallenge the bans as soon as they become known.