Watch This Road-to-Rail Move, Warns T.R.T.A.
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AWARNING that efforts are being made to force goods off the road on to rail is given in the annual report of the Traders' Road Transport Association. The Government had "avoided the pitfall of seeking to restrict road transport, either physically or by fiscal measures, in order to make the railways pay," it is stated.
"Unfortunately, pressure continues from various quarters for compulsory diversion of traffic to rail.
"This situation will need careful watching, particularly because it would appear that the climate of opinion generally towards the goods vehicle is not always as favourable as it might be. Considering its vital importance to the country, road transport is probably the least appreciated of all our major industries."
The report continues; "Seventy-six per cent. by weight of all inland freight now travels by road. At the same time the number of goods vehicles and C-licensed vehicles in particular, continues to show a steady increase.
"These trends are in line with the general pattern in Europe, although the growth in the number of vehicles is less than half the European average. Recent statistics show beyond doubt how trade and industry chooses to send its goods; a situation which has its parallel in the growth of private cars."
The report states that traffic matters featured more and more prominently in T.R.T.A. work during the year, and adds: " We recognize that the traffic problems in urban areas are immense. Commercial goods transport must accept its share of restrictions in the general interest,
"But wholesale bans on the freedom to load and unload goods cannot be accepted except as a last resort, when all less harmful measures have been tried and, despite strict enforcement, have been shown to be inadequate..
"The commercial life of our towns and cities depends upon the free flow of goads to the shops and business premises, and it would be an inverted sense of priorities to subjugate this to a general concept of 'traffic flow.'
"It is pointless to keep traffic flowing if, when it reaches its destination, it is unable to stop to fulfil the purpose of its journey."