Is the B.T.C. Amenable to Reason?
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VOU deserve to be congratulated upon your leading I article, " Heads in the Sand," in your issue dated July 28. I read this with great interest, for it should do
much to make the short-distance haulier aware of the .difficulties which are facing him.
Now that we are beginning to see how the liaison committees are working, we are able to form some opinion of the general direction to which this form of activity is leading us, and much can be learnt from the liaison booklet (R.C.H.60650) issued by the British Transport Commission,' which sets out the principles agreed with the Road Haulage Association.
Let us take stock of the position as we see it and judge how we are heading. Is the B.T.C. being amenable to reason? Is anything being done to alleviate the lot of the free haulier? The answer is definitely no to each question. Except in a few instances where the Road Haulage Executive has had to give way, it is pursuing its relentless course. The few exceptions are outweighed by thousands of instances of injustice done to free hauliers all over the country. The paltry way in which permits have been issued (or not issued) is one example.
The spirit of co-operation which was such a feature of our industry when we were all free, and which was so much lauded in the liaison booklet, is slowly being extinguished between the R.H.E. and the free hauliers. The former is only too obviously preparing to steam-roller its way relentlessly and unashamedly. Its policy is
R.H.E. first, last, and all the time. R. B. BRITAIN. South Benfleet
MR. GEORGE WILSON FAVOURS MOTORWAYS
I WAS much amused by your comment, "Should 'Cyclists Freely Use All Main Roads?" in your issue dated July 7, as no doubt it was intended that I should be.
The occasion of my talk was a Pickwickian one, abounding in Pickwickian isms, and your observations are no less so, you having quoted my remarks o.ut of their context.
The most surprising of your comments is that the contemplated motorways might be invaded by cyclists. Exclusive motorw4s is one of the outstanding policies to which all users can subscribe in unity.
The potential victims of road accidents properly using the King's highway are not " risking their lives" unless some menace is abroad. Yet, in our experience as cyclists, the long-distance commercial driver is amongst the most considerate of road users.
Cycle paths along main roads complicate eight-line traffic intersections into 16 lines of moving vehicles. They thus add to the danger of the road, particularly where the road narrows for bridges, etc., where the segregated cycle traffic must suddenly emerge on to the main carriageway.
Some 60 per cent, of road accidents are in built-up areas where cycle paths cannot be constructed. To introduce them into the " tighest " island in the world, as regards roads and "traffic, is to play with the problem without solving it. The motorway for mechanical transport is the answer, not the cycleway, which can never be a separate system A40 May I add that where cyclists are concerned, " passing " comments are always appreciated rather than "running down" comments. GEORGE WILSON, Managing Director.
Nottingham. (For Raleigh Industries, Ltd.) WHY THIS DISCRIMINATION IN SPEED?
TN a recent leader you queried the reasons for the decision of the Minister of Transport to impose further discrimination in the matter of the speed of commercial vehicles of various types, particularly the Utility. I suggest that the Ministry, to-day, -under a pseudo-idealogical government, is far removed from a realistic conception of the root problems, economies and operational practices of modern surface transport.
The high-level policy of the Ministry is allied to the preservation of Government-owned forms of transport at the expense of every other medium. Therefore, it may, perhaps, be reasonable to expect illogical legislation to be a daily occurrence. It is high time that such forms of transport in this country as remain under private control, and prove by their very existence their efficiency and service to the community, should take united action and express firmly on all possible occasions that the Ministry and all its minions are servants of the public and paid for such service.
In my view, the best interests of all can be served only if new legislation be introduced after consultation with those whose life-long business has been to serve the transport needs of the public.
The preservation of the 30 m.p.h. limit for utility vehicles operating under, carriers' licences whilst similar vehicles used for other purposes are to be exempted, can be classed with innumerable other instances of unfair procedure. Its effects will be 'adversely reflected in the manufacture and operation of many types of vehicle. D. MOORE-HEPPLESTON,
Manager.. s
(For Messrs. Tom Peel Luxury Coaches.) Rotherham.
AN APPRECIATION OF B.C.V.I. FROM NEW ZEALAND
RECENTLY we received a copy of "The British Commercial Vehicle Industry," for which we wish to thank you.
The illustrations, both coloured and photographic, are excellent, and the general layout and style are a splendid example of modern printing. Incidentally, we were very pleased that New Zealand was represented in three or four instances, noticeably in the articulated transport section.
However, the fact that impressed us most Was the sign that the British Motor Industry was successfully contesting fields that we had previously understood. belonged exclusively to the United States of America.
Our congratulations are due to the Motor Industry for their efforts when Great Britain is in dire need of foreign markets, and to Temple Press Limited for their splendid printing job.
H. MCM (For Director of Marketing Department.) Wellington C.1, New Zealand.'