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view by the Hawk
• Politicking
I detected a great flurry of activity behind the scenes at the beginning of this week, all directed at getting a message over to MPs before the crucial Wednesday. night Commons debate on the proposals for restricting heavy lorries.
The FTA, whose Parliamentary lobbying this year has been at a higher level than ever before, was producing a "crash" document for MPs, making the road transport case. I gather that some operators and truck dealers were also making special efforts; John R. Billows, for example, in the East Midlands was arranging for demonstrations to the local press for a newspaper feature, copies of which were going immediately to local Members.
Meanwhile, this sniping continues. Last week the editor of Motoring Which? speaking to the Design and Industries Association, was having a go at the heavies and revealing his ignorance of the current law by suggesting that the authorities should have the power to suspend a haulier's operating licence for overloading.
• Where, oh where?
But then whatever happened on Tuesday when BBC Radio London ran an open-line programme inviting the public and the industry to discuss the question of heavier lorries? Despite frantic efforts by the producer to get operators and their associations to participate, only one man stepped forward: Frank Lyon of the RHA, who stoutly held the fort against all-corners for the first 30 minutes and then retired to make room for other defenders of the faith. Alas, there was none forthcoming and the general public had a free run for 30 minutes, knocking the industry from pillar to post in almost every aspect of road transport about which the British public has an opinion.
• Special Branch
An independent rural coach operator I met recently told me that one of the reasons why he was able to run a successful stage carriage service in an area where a large bus company had failed was that he achieved a far greater utilization of staff.
"Take that driver there," he said pointing to a chap swinging a saw. "He's been out this morning on a local service and now he's going out again to saw off overhanging branches so that he can get his bus down these narrow roads."
No demarcation — just debarkation.
• Another 50
Scammell has adopted an interesting approach to recording its 50th anniversary in an attractive booklet. Pictures of and comment on the vehicle products of each period are backed by outstanding events and personalities of the time. For instance, the company's first Pioneer truck model in 1927 is printed over a photograph of Charles Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis.
The fact that trucks have not made quite the startling progress as travel through the atmosphere — and beyond — is brought home by the US blast-off and spaceman pictures flanking current products!
• Special study
There's an unusual topic for the Transport Studies Society meeting in London on January 24; a seminar is being organized jointly with the Institute of Traffic Administration on "Christianity in transport."
A panel of speakers will discuss such questions as: Is there too much complacency about road deaths and accidents? Can Christianity strengthen management ethics in transport as an example for other service industries? There is also one which comes pretty close to the current controversy: Should there be a transport organization to advise Christian churches on environmental matters and the quality of life where these are being seriously affected by transport operations?
George Wilmot, London University's senior transport lecturer, will be in the chair and the speakers include the Bishop of Chester and several clerics and lay churchmen with transport involvement.
I gather that the meeting is attracting quite a lot of interest and will be open to non-members with an interest in the subject.
• Bikeman
I sometimes suspect that if news editor Bob Holliday had his way, CM would be full of pictures of hot two-wheelers. Fortunately, he has found a much more satisfying outlet for the frustrations of a lifelong motorcycling enthusiast by writing Norton Story, out this week — and, surprisingly, the first full-length book to tell the story of this famous motorcycle marque Bob lived motorbikes before joining CM to write on "weightier" matters and I must say the loving involvement comes through loud and clear in this £2.80 book published by Patrick Stephens Ltd.
The Hawk's thought for the week: Never let your boss think he's a fool.