FTA idles on 40 tonne claim
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• The Freight Transport Association's 40-tonner campaign has been put on hold until after the next general election, but director-general Garry Turvey has promised members that "at the right time we shall pursue the matter more vigorously."
Speaking at the association's annual Scottish dinner in Glasgow last week, Turvey said that the FTA continued to reject the arguments that British roads cannot cope with heavier lorries.
"We are the only country in the EEC now which will not allow vehicles to operate at 40-tonnes. We are just shooting ourselves in the foot. The only real way ahead is to remove barriers to the movement of goods throughout all 12 member states."
Turvey's line was underscored by FTA president Stuart Phillips' speech. In questioning the logic of the Secretary of State for Transport's argument, Phillips said: 'How can he berate our Community colleagues for erecting barriers to free movement, and then reaffirm Britain's unilateral opposition to 40 tonne outfits on our roads?