P&O 41-tonne push is denied
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by Charles Young • The managing director of P&O Trans European, Charles Rice, has denied rumours that he pushed for 41 tonnes in the Transport White Paper, while sitting on a Government advice body, to benefit his own company.
The rumours stem from the fact that a weight limit of 44 tonnes might hinder the rail network reaching capacity (P&OTE is a substantial intermodal opera tor) and that as Rice was aware of the Government's anti-44-stance, he pushed for a compromise.
Rice says: "We have always supported the 44tonne limit. The fact was that we thought it was unlikely to happen but that's not to say we didn't want it to happen."
While not able to discuss what was said on the committee, Rice adds: "These rumours are an embarrassment to me. In all our dealings with the Government we have supported the 44tonne limit."
The FTA—perhaps the biggest champion of 44 tonnes—was quick to come to his defence. A spokesman says Rice has always supported its campaign.
Rice adds that he thought the Government would go for 44 tonnes three or four years down the line once the railways were nearer to capacity.