Letter: Shropshire hauliers and the high cost of fuel
Letter: Hauliers on strike over fuel prices is not a good idea as it would never work.
Letter: Reference the recent letter from John Thornicroft, "Hauliers must act".
Hauliers on strike over fuel prices is not a good idea as it would never work.
Most of the larger haulage firms work under contract where they have a fuel escalator in place and most likely a clause that prevents them going on strike.
A majority of hauliers are struggling for survival and to park their vehicles up for a week would be another nail in the coffin.
On a more positive note, I and the regional director and area manager from the Road Haulage Association Bristol, along with two fellow Shropshire hauliers had a meeting at the Shirehall on January 21 with four Shropshire MPs. We discussed the problems our industry is encountering with high fuel costs.
Most people don't realise that the average fuel consumption of a 44 tonne artic is just 6mpg and that is 40 per cent of the vehicle's earnings, so it is therefore a major concern to operators.
Our four MPs took everything onboard especially Owen Paterson, who was a former shadow transport minister.
We are hopeful that the planned increase in April does not take place and that we get a fuel stabiliser.
Elliott PW Blackmore
Chairman
Road Haulage Association
Shropshire Sub District
