4 Industry seeks better
Page 5
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deal for ban appeals
,ROAD TRANSPORT trade associations are seeking better representation on the London lorry ban appeals committee which will look at the cases of companies refused permits to operate in the capital at night and weekends, 'Both the Road Haulage Association and. the Freight Transport Association are unhappy with a Greater London Council proposal that they nominate a joint representative to sit with local government, environmental and trades union interests on the six-member committee.
They have pointed out that they have separate and sometimes conflicting interests to represent and want the committee to have representatives from haulage and from industry.
ETA South-Eastern controller John Guttridge told CM that operators' interests could be out-voted in any case, but he said the potential conflict of interest between hauliers and their customers was a more compelling reason behind the request.
And he added that this was recognised by the GLC having said it will produce a list of approved hauliers for night and weekend work, once the ban starts on December 16.
There was a remarkably similar complaint four years ago when the GLC rejected a request for separate representation on the Wood Inquiry, the committee which laid the ground for the ban.
As then, the GLC proposes to have the appeals committee chaired by a lawyer.
The whole question of the composition of the appeals committee looks likely to be put off until September 18, i when the GLC transport committee meets next.
The 33 London boroughs have also sought separate, rather than collective repre
sentation, and the views of the trades union and environmental groups have still to be heard.
• The International Road Transport Union (11W) has entered the argument over the London ban, which is still subject to Transport Secretary Nicholas Ridley's appeal on October 7 against a High Court ruling that he exceeded his powers in trying to block the ban.
The IRU has asked Mr Ridley to take "the necessary action" to prevent the ban from being implemented, saying it portends disastrous Consequences for domestic and international haulage, trade and the standard of living.
It believes that the GLC's permit application procedure is so complicated that it "virtually precludes" Foreign hauliers from obtaining any exemptions.
• More on GLC ban, p4.