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More enforcement, please
Page 15
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So Mr Peter Walker is to adopt a get tough policy with fly-tippers ? Unlimited fines or five years in jail should act as a deterrent against those operators who for years have been dumping waste at will around the country. But until the law is seen in action the industry can hardly be blamed if it treats Mr Walker's promise with more than a little doubt.
We've heard it all before: back in 1 967 and 1968 Barbara Castle was making the same type of noises concerning unauthorized operation. When questioned by interested parties when the Transport Act was still a Bill, she promised that her enforcement officers would be watching events very carefully and bringing the full force of the law on the miscreants. To the best of their ability the enforcements officers have carried out their task but it is all too apparent that their work is hampered through lack of staff.
If Mr Walker means what he says, then the enforcement staffs in the traffic areas will have to be increased immediately. The great weight of recent and pending legislation is undoubtedly proving too much for their depleted forces.
To add to the enforcement problem, entry to the industry is all too easy despite the pre-grant inquiries of the LAs. It is the operator's subsequent conduct which gives cause for concern and is the subject of enforcement officers' investigations. Operators' licences have been issued at about the rate of 1000 per month since the 1968 Act was implemented. Keeping a watchful eye on such an immense number of new operators has been proving too much for the enforcement staff.
If transport enjoys the anticipated post-Budget boom we can look for a further increase in new operators, which will add to the work of the already over-taxed enforcement staff. The time has come for Mr Walker to appoint many more officers to ensure that his environment and road safety policies mature.