EDITORIAL
Page 4
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THE SPRING and summer . motorway repair programme was announced by the Department of Transport last week. In her customary resolute and determined manner Lynda Chalker spelled out the benefits and penalties which the contractors would encounter if they met or failed to meet the completion dates.
So far, so good. however, even if the deadlines arc met, there will inevitably be very long delays at the contraflow systems. Of course it was courteous of the Department to apologise to road users in advance, but that is not enough.
While it is inconvenient for the leisure motorist to be delayed for a few hours, it will be catastrophic for commercial vehicle operators. Cv drivers caught in a traffic jam will find themselves running out of time long before they reach their overnight stop. They will be in breach of the law. The Department has an answer to the problem if it is bold enough to apply it.
The contraflow system should be open to cv traffic only. This would include coach traffic. All private cars should be put into diversions unsuitable for heavy traffic.
We can almost hear the screams from the motoring organisations now. Nevertheless, there must be a solution. Exemption from the hours law is not the answer — that would not recoup the financial losses which operators will incur as a result of the inevitable delays.
We ask Mrs Chalker to give serious consideration to this proposal and would be pleased to receive her reply.