Train the Trader
Page 28
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THE "kerb space is precious" campaign, to be introduced nationally by the Traders' Road Transport Association on March 2, is one of the most useful and practical enterprises ever undertaken by the Association. It has the blessing of the Minister of Transport, who inaugurated it in the London area last year. He said at the time that the campaign did not entirely remove the possibility that further restrictions on waiting by goods vehicles might have to be imposed. but he welcomed the co-operation of commercialvehicle users in dealing with a difficult situation.
Unfortunately, the success of the movement does not depend entirely, or even largely, on the goodwill of operators. They are in the hands of consignors and consignees of goods, who determine how long a vehicle must wait at the kerbside to deliver or collect a load. If operators were in control of the situation there would be little waiting in the streets. The energetic action being taken by the T.R.T.A. should convince the various trade bodies concerned of the urgency of the problem, and it is for them to impress on their members the necessity of prompt clearance of vehicles. There are already welcome signs of co-operation by chambers of commerce, the co-operative societies and others. but lack of a sense of urgency on the part of only one or two traders in a street could destroy the effectiveness of the campaign in that area. The education of traders in the value of street space must he thorough and rapid.
Bus operators should benefit greatly by the success of the movement. An increase in average speeds would help to reduce operating costs and attract passengers to faster, more punctual services. They might. in their own interests, lend their aid to the T.R.T.A.'s campaign, perhaps by publicity in their buses and in various other ways.