Team of truckers to talk transport to the Tories
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BARRIE TOZER, who runs the Truckersworld website, has brought together a team of drivers to meet shadow transport ministers about issues such as the lack of secure truck parking.
Shadow Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and shadow Transport Minister Owen Paterson have agreed to meet Tozer and his team of three
experienced truck drivers, including an owner-driver.
They will be arguing that free, secure parking should be provided by all town councils, by 24-hour operations like ports, and by industrial estates and motorway service areas.
Tozer says: "We keep hearing stories about drivers being attacked when parked in lay-bys or other non-secure areas. Something has got to be done."
Other issues up for discussion at the meeting include fuel costs, the Working Time Directive and laws on smoking.
"I hope that after hearing what we have to say, the ministers will put pressure on the government to make changes," says Tozer. "It is about time that the government listened to drivers."
He adds that if drivers want their views expressed at the meeting. they should leave a message on the website, www.truckersworld.co.uk.
Tozer is also awaiting a date for a second meeting with supermarket giant Tesco to discuss progress on its facilities for drivers.