Who would gain from a 44-tonne limit?
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Iwrite in reply to the writer of the letter headed "Rate for the Weight" (CM 13-19 Feb). The simple answer is if the Government, as is widely expected, gives the go-ahead for the maximum weight to be increased from 38 to 94 tonnes, exactly the same thing will happen as when weight limits were increased last time.
Quite a lot of hauliers were falling over themselves to carry the extra weight for the same rate as before.
Most hauliers gained nothing from the last weight increase—the only ones to benefit were the customers.
It is true that hauliers are their own worst enemies when it comes to setting fair rates. How many other businesses are unable to charge a fair rate for their services? In many cases hauliers have to accept the going rate, or close down.
Many people say hauliers pass increases in fuel and tyres on to the customer, but I do not know of a haulier who is able to do this.
Until the problem of over-capacity in the haulage industry is resolved, I do not foresee any change for a long time to come.
Miss Jean Sharpies, J Sharpies & Son, Herefordshire.