Think wisely
Page 4
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4EXT WEDNESDAY the Greater London Council meets to take what could be a nomentous decision for the road transport industry. It could even have implications for rade and industry across the nation.
When Dave Wetzel and his colleagues on the GLC transport committee meet to discuss vhat action to take on the controversial Wood Report on the effects of lorry bans, their ieliberations will be closely watched far beyond the capital.
There is much reason to suspect that the GLC is attracted by some form of widespread orry controls. For a council fast on its way out, and increasingly restricted by the loss of )ower to move in other fields, there are many votes to be won by banning lorries. But we urge extreme caution on the part of Mr Wetzel and his friends. He would do well o accept the olive branches from the Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport kssociation, which offer to help the GLC solve the problems that they recognise orries cause to some Londoners.
The industry's critics have often accused it of being insensitive to the effects it has on he environment, yet here is a clear example of its true concern. It would be a shame if the 3LC lets this slip from its grasp.
If the GLC closes one of the main markets of the nation to heavier lorries, without first hinking out the strategy with caution, and on the evidence of widely disbelieved )redictions that lighter lorries will save industry :12m, it could damage the chances of 'uturaco-operation between transport iperators and politicians.
Please think about it, Mr Wetzel.