Strengthen the B.R.F.
Page 1
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
HEN dealing with road-transport matters of national importance, and which, consequently, affect' the whole of the industry, the latter should be represented by a central body. This was realized some years ago and resulted in the formation of the British Road Federation, which includes over 50 organizations immediately concerned with, or particularly interested in, the development of road transport. Practically all the associations On the commercial side of motoring are members, together with those representing trade and industry throughout the country.
It is regrettable to observe, however, that, so far, the Automobile Association and the Royal Automobile Club have held aloof. Yet one would have thought that in the interests of their members they would have joined the representative body.
The danger of this lack of co-operation is well shown by the recent action of the A.A. in putting forward, through the medium of The Times, a weak-kneed advocacy of the present Government's policy of merely improving existing highways. 'A powerful article upon this matter, under the title of "This Autocracy," appears in the current issue of The Motor. That journal asks why 600,000 motorists should be forcibly committed to a retrograde policy.
The B.R.F., on the other hand, strongly advocates the building Of special motor roads, and this appears to fall in with the views of the majority of road users. It is particularly unfortunate that the A.A.; which could only by chance be really representative of the views of its members—for they have little or no say in the control of its policy—should, at this time, when there are some hopes of forcing the Government to adopt a progressive new-road programme, endeavour to negative the efforts of the B.R.F. and the German Roads Delegation, and it would be interesting to know the real reason for this move.
While in Germany the secretary of the A.A. appeared to join the general enthusiasm regarding the layout of the German motor roads, and he assisted in no small degree in the promotion of the visit. Yet since he has done his best to nullify the results, and this in the face of the directly opposed opinions expressed by so many members of that Delegation and by leading bodies in the industry.
Road transport cannot hope to achieve a better position or to have given to its views the attention which is merited by the huge size of its business and personnel, unless it speaks with one voice representative of the majority of all classes of road user.
Expressions of opinion by individual associations, mainly, for consumption by their own members, are helpful, but all should unite in respect of any major policy affecting trade and industry as a whole, and what body can speak with greater authority than the British Road Federation?