RHA rethink on demos by David Craik • The Road
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Haulage Association has paved the way for a U-turn over its support for hauliers' protest group TransAction as it ponders its response to the next day of action against fuel duty hikes, set for 8 June.
Regional director Roger Wrapson says: "We will look at what the protestors are proposing and then see what support, if any, we can give."
Trans-Action chairman Peter Knight says the day will not be disruptive to the public. RHA spokesman Dan Hodges also seems to have had a change of heart; he is now prepared to wait and see what the day will hold. "We were disappointed this day was taking place," he says. "However, if it is legal and not disruptive to the public we would look at supporting it."
Wrapson wants to know exactly what the day will entail because "it only takes one person to steal a policeman's helmet and it will get blamed on the RHA".
The association opposes blockades and go-slows, saying Government ministers do not react to hostile situations.
Martin Edge, chairman of the RHA's Shropshire branch, joined RHA Midland and Western Region direc tor Mike Farmer at the recent Shropshire protest convoy (CM 30 April-6 May): he believes more RHA officials should attend peaceful protests run by hauliers.
Edge says that Farmer was given permission to attend the rally by RHA director-general Steven Norris after he was convinced that the protest would not be disruptive.