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Drivers deman

5th April 1986, Page 6
5th April 1986
Page 6
Page 6, 5th April 1986 — Drivers deman
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• European governments are being approached by the international Routiers organisation with.proposals for improving the working conditions of all Europe's professional transport drivers.

The proposals, concerning the free movement of transport in Europe, lorry lengths, signposting, and motorway service facilities, have already been presented to Department of Transport officials in London.

Top priority, according to Dr Gunter Rostow, president of the Union International des Chauffeurs Routiers, is the introduction of measures to allow the free movement of transport across national borders in Europe.

This proposal is supported by Britain's two main trade associations, the Freight Transport Association and the Road Haulage Association, providing that British operators' tax and fuel bills are brought into line with the rest of Europe.

However, the Transport and General Workers' Union says it is utterly opposed to the proposal. Jack Ashwell, TGWU national drivers' secretary, says: "This proposal would further increase the highly intense competition in Europe, and we see it as a sell-out."

Second proposal from Routiers is the easing of legislation governing the length of vehicles, so that the law applies only to the loadbearing part of the vehicle.

Rostow claims this would enable manufacturers to increase the length of the cab, thereby improving the driver's safety and comfort. The Department of Transport already proposes to offer this concession for international journeys (CM, March 29).

This proposal is also rejected by Ashwell, who says that the inevitable result will be a large increase in the number of sleeper cabs.

"We are opposed to sleeper cabs because they are often imposed on drivers who should be given a decent bed for the night."

The Association of County Councils (ACC) also rejects the proposal. A spokesman says: "We are utterly and totally opposed to any proposals which result in an extension of the length of lorries."

Routiers' third proposal is for separate catering, washing and rest facilities to be provided at motorway service areas for transport drivers.

It envisages that such facilities could be specified in the franchises for motorway service areas, ensuring that motorway service operators build-in the facilities when they begin operating at a site The ACC says: "More needs to be done for lorry drivers at motorway service areas, but we are not totally convinced, and never have been, that this is the total responsibility of local or central government."

• The Department of Transport has been slammed by MPs for its failure to look after Britain's roads properly.

The all-party public accounts committee complained that delays in repairing roads often lead to final bills nearly three times what they might have been had the work been done on time.

Finally, Routiers proposes improved signposting in urban areas and on major roads and motorways. This proposal coincides with a major review of Britain's signposting, being made by the Department of Transport.


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