• COMMENT SAY NO TO 50
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• As you'll see on pages 4-5, CM is launching a campaign against the EC plan for a 50mph HGV Euro speed limit. To start the ball rolling, here's part of a letter I have sent to Roads and Traffic Minister Christopher Chope: As Editor of the UK's leading weekly road transport magazine I have frequently criticised the Department of Transport for forcing inappropriate and illogical legislation on British hauliers, and in particular for not fighting its corner when confronted by interfering Eurocrats.
However, your recent speech at the Transport Manager of the Year awards dinner confirmed that there are still some Government ministers prepared to say no to Brussels.
Like you, Commercial Motor believes that an 80km/h (50mph) limit for heavy trucks is totally inappropriate. Like you, Commercial Motor believes that Parliament, and only Parliament, should be authorised to determine UK speed limits. And like you, Commercial Motor believes that the adoption of such a limit will result in a major increase in costs to both hauliers and customers and create even more congestion on Britain's overcrowded roads.
That's why Commercial Motor has launched a campaign to fight against a 50mph limit, and we would urge you to do everything in your power to stop this blatant interference by the EC.
Finally we would ask for reassurances that, in the face of a majority vote on the acceptance of a 50mph EC limit, Britain would ask for the same kind of derogation that it has pursued on higher vehicle weights.