TAO staff call for help
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by Lee kirnber • Civil service unions are appealing to hauliers to help fight the Government's planned closure of the Cardiff and Manchester Traffic Area A series of Civil and Public Service Association and Public Service, Tax and Commerce Union advertisements are being placed in the transport press calling on hauliers to oppose the closures in letters to their local MPs and to transport minister Sir George Young.
CPSA spokesman John Maloney says the unusual move has a chance of working because the Government wants the closures for technical reasons rather than out of political necessity. "In the past, the Government has ignored public and industry opinion but this is so marginal it may have an influence," says Moloney.
Both the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association distanced themselves from the effort this week. The ETA is lobbying hard for a centrallyadministered TAO database, leaving only justice for lawbreaking operators to be delivered locally.
The RI-IA is holding back its support because it thinks closure is a foregone conclusion. "We're consulting with members on the boundaries of the new areas," it says, "but we're not commenting on the closures."
The CPSA remains undaunted. Moloney says the campaign aims to win support from large local hauliers. It will have been successful if it manages to keep some local functions in Cardiff and Manchester, he says.