WHAT'S GOING WRONG?
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I have been an international driver for 30 years. In this time, I have seen many changes. But on reading CMthis week I ask myself what the hell is happening. Transport firms in England are charged the highest price for diesel. There's a very big shortage of HGV drivers. The French are fining firms who have flagged out. And now we have a firm which is using trucks from Lithuania to haul its trailers to Germany. How can this happen?
Companies like Willie Betz seem to have trucks registered in just about every state in Europe, but drivers from Bulgaria, Romania and Russia. These trucks sit in England for days waiting for loads.
Take a look at the cafe on the A14—it's like a depot. Take a look at Western Dock, Dover-95% of trucks are Eastern Bloc trucks. Most are top-of-the-range trucks. And soon they will come into the EU. One firm from the Isle of Sheppey has trucks registered in Lithuania with Lithuanian drivers.
All other trailer firms will now opt for this cheap mode of transport. The only advice I can give is: will the last haulier leaving Britain please turn out the lights. RW Copeland,
Ashford, Kent.