Dialogue or disruption?
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"Dialogue, not disruption," says Transport Minister Helen Liddell. A very reasonable plea, but talk is cheap—unless it leads somewhere. The next Industry Forum will offer another chance for the Government to act, and act as a result of dialogue.
In the meantime this week's disruption will at least show the authorities that hauliers are determined to continue making their case as publicly as possible, and that the formal dialogue must ultimately lead to tangible results. You can argue for or against such protests, but at least they get the nation talking about the problem.
So let's hope when ministers meet the industry on 6 September they understand that the dialogue must pay off soon if the unrest on display in recent months is to be dispelled. Because unless something positive comes out of the next meeting, further action, and probably stronger action, is a foregone conclusion. IIII Anyone interested in the environment will welcome news of HGV journeys being reduced by the use of alternative modes of transport, but the high-profile opening of a new freight terminal for canal barges this week by Glenda Jackson can only be a drop in the ocean (see news, page IT). It's reminiscent of a recent story about a brewer returning to horse and cart for deliveries of beer around London. But at least the horse and cart were taken on because they were quicker and cheaper than engine-driven alternatives. With a 4 mph speed limit on the canals, we can't see many high street retailers jumping in.
Perhaps ministers would be better advised to invest more of their time and effort in more mainstream transport issues...