Industry fights GLC
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JUSTRY PRESSURE is building uncirs 00,000 anti-lorry camp tners from the capital.
=reight Transport Association eater London divisional chair3n Richard Garvey has already itten to GLC transport cornttee chair Dave Wetzel and to veral London boroughs, highhting the transport industry's ncern about the proposals. And the campaign is being )pped up on Friday next week ien the FTA, the Road Haulage sociation, the British Road deration's Movement for Lon ■ ri offshoot, the Confederation British Industry, and the Lonin Chamber of Commerce set to establish a plan of action rer the next three months.
According to the FTA, there is ;tong need for a campaign to unter the GLC effort, and pos)ilities to be considered next aek will include the circulation publications through public )uses and retail outlets, closer ■ ntacts with the Press and oadcasters, and some physical omonstration of road trans)rt's contribution towards the ;onomy of London.
In advance of this, the FTA lid last week that the £90,000 impaign, which is being run ,fore the Wood Inquiry into the )ssible effects of various lorry Ins in London reports this wing, is an "appalling and excusable waste of ratepayers' ioney."
It accused the GLC of having 3 interest in the facts about lores in London, and added: "It
seems to be interested only in courting short-term political popularity by feeding on the widespread lack of understanding about the importance of lorries to London's economy and well being, and the problems of severe lorry nuisance which a small proportion of Londoners undoubtedly suffers."
Instead, it urged the GLC to plan for the lorry, saying that a ban on heavier vehicles would lead either to a greater number of smaller lorries and more traffic congestion, or it would prompt industry to move to locations which take a more kindly view of the lorry.
It has promised to fight the GLC's proposals "with vigour", saying: "Trade and industry needs lorries: they are working for London and must continue working for London."