Drivers Join Lorry Route Protests
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FROM OUR INDUSTRIAL CORRESPONDENT •
QPPOSITION to the Minister of Transport's lorry route scheme to link Al and M1 with London's docks and markets is mounting. After protests by the London County Council, some of the borough councils through which it would pass and from local residents, lorry drivers who would have to use the route are joining the opposition.
A branch meeting of London commercial vehicle drivers belonging to the Transport and General Workers Union decided that diverting all lorries on to one particular road would. soon overload that road. They agreed that a special lorry route to the docks would be a good thing, but it would have to be for lorries only.
Mr. J. Todd, the union's Commercial Services Group organizer, said that many of the actual roads earmarked for the route were unsuitable. There were two humped-backed bridges, one with a bend at the foot. These were highly unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles, especially the artics. He also made the point that drivers -already used the route they considered best and if any of the proposed roads were not being fully used there must be good reasons for this. As for the ban on the use of City streets, this was one. that the majority of drivers had voluntarily imposed on themselves long ago.
The meeting felt that the scheme, together with its restrictions on loading and waiting in a highly industrialized area, was one more proof that the socalled " speed-up " plans appeared to be directed against commercial vehicles rather than at the private motorist, who regarded the streets of London and its approaches as day-time car parks.
They were in favour of an absolute ban on the parking of private cars in the London area, especially on the known commercial routes and their alternatives. Restrictions on loading and unloading during normal working hours would then he unnecessary.