• .Elevent .hour view
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THE LAST-MINUTE decisior hold the Armitage debate week caught both major ti associations by surprise, but Freight Transport Associa and Road Haulage Associati were quick to send th opinions to key MPs.
An FTA publication, L Facts and Fallacies: The A tage Report, was ready to 19; leased in any case, and co were hurried to London lab Monday night to catch the post to the House of Comma It seeks to explode some of myths which have built up si the Armitage Report was r lished last month, and lists points which, as a pack; point in the report's favour.
For instance, it says that A tage agrees with those who that lorries should not bec( any larger by asking only fo extra 0.5m on tractive units proposing a height limit for first time.
News of the debate cam all the more of a shock to RHA as a working party me Monday and was plannin( present its views on Armita,c an executive board meetinc. Wednesday.
A draft went out to MN. Tuesday, in time for the (let and it was due to be ratifier Wednesday, after we closec press.
This is broadly in favour of heavier lorry, and suppc Armitage's weight band prc sals rather than those of European Commission, tho it is concerned that the incree tax proposals, already enshri in the Transport Bill, will 1 large extent offset the econe advantages of the Ilea vehicle.
It says that, while the envi mental advantages will there will not necessarily proportionate decrease in overall cost of goods per tom And the RHA is heavily posed to the Department Transport's method of asses: track costs, and says it still lieves that the heavy gc vehicle more than pays its share.
It accepts the recommer tions on road safety impr; ments, and, if the benefits ca proved, it is prepared to ac the "fairly expensive" cost ting rear and side guards.
The draft also accepts there should be stricter cor on the issue of Opera Licences.