French example?
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Irefer to the recent letters in 'Commercial Motor concerning Mr Steven Norris.
I am a member of the Road Haulage Association, paying subscriptions for an organisation to represent and promote my best interests as a British transport operator. It is important to recognise that the average RHA member seeking such representation operates 510 vehicles.
Against a background of
"Fair Play on Fuel", a level playing field in Europe, cabotage and "flagging out", Steven Norris's advice to follow the example of Norbert Dentressangle is debatable.
He should be saying "British is best". He is, after all, director-general of the Road Haulage Association. His celebrating with the French was obviously enjoyable, but I imagine he should also have been at the RHA Northern Region's Fair Play on Fuel Rally. One French car advert says "size isn't important". It is when you are French, when you have a 25%-30% currency advantage, pay not a lot for the use of your trucks or to tax them, have much cheaper fuel (38p/lit) and pay a token amount for your ferries.
Under such circumstances we could all make "impressive" progress, and we wouldn't need much in the way of "professionalism" to do so.
I don't want to him to represent me, thank you. I haven't received any compensation from the French Government yet.
Paul Frampton, Framptons International, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
United front
Tam writing in response to 'recent letters published in Commercial Motor referring to the views of RHA members and the actions of Steven Norris.
The RHA is a democratic organisation and there are ample opportunities for members to express and debate their views on internal and external issues through the format of sub regions, regional councils and the executive board.
It is therefore extremely disappointing that some members should choose to use the trade press to air views on which they appear to lack the courage and conviction to discuss openly with the elected and paid officials of the RHA.
In the past two years the RHA has become a more proactive association under the leadership of Steven Norris with our voice being heard in political circles at a level not previously achieved.
It is therefore not in the best interests of the association, its members or the industry as a whole to display a divided front when commenting on the many challenging issues which face us.
The challenges which face our industry are enormous, and we are unlikely to be successful in meeting these challenges when people make derogatory comments about those who are leading our campaign. I would therefore urge all members of the RHA to give the elected and paid officials
their full support in our efforts to represent their interests.
Bob Terris, Meachers Group, Southampton.
No limit
Your recent headline story on drivers fiddling speed limiters in Commercial Motor (29 Oct-4 Nov) struck a bell with me, not least as for the past three hours I've been driving up the M6 and have been passed by a number of artics that clearly should have been limited—but weren't.
Limiter legislation was the classic Government response to the problem of HGVS driving too fast—pass the buck back to the haulier. If this isn't self-regulation then I don't know what is. And anyone can tell you that road haulage and self-regulation don't mix. We need mandatory limiter checks now!
Paul Taffe, Chelinstard.