Regarding the imminent closure of Titan Truck Park in Thurrock, it seems the residents are up in arms about the increased pollution and heavy traffic.
Well done Nimbies. I don't understand the argument about air quality as there is a large chemical plant and several smaller businesses between them and the truck park in this leafy Essex suburb.
It may not have been great, but it had washing, food and secure parking facilities. I'm off to find a quiet lay-by between Dagenham and Barking or a nice muddy piece of land on the Thurrock relief road with my bottle of water, plastic bowl, carrier bag (ie portaloo) and my empty (shortly to be filled) squash bottle.
John Baber
Driver
That VOSA is £40m in debt, according to its trade union TUS ('VOSA enforcement staff await decision on redundancies', CM 25 November) almost seems like a Wikileaks revelation.
The redundancies expected are no more than so many good members of this industry have had to suffer for several years.
My dealings with VOSA in the past 40 years have left me with the impression that, of the VOSA staff I have encountered, I would be unable to offer them any employment.
The financial burden today on us more "productive" members of society is massive. Just look at aircraft carriers we don't need and can't afford, the £7bn we borrowed to help out our friends from across the sea (and it is likely more will be required to help out others). The burden on our fast-reducing financial resources is epic.
It would seem that even the abuse of the fixed penalty system will not be enough to save this dysfunctional government department.
So I will wish VOSA a fond farewell and alert this industry to the opportunity that we should become self-regulating.
Traffic Commissioners: you're next. There are far too many of you running around. We need a 50% reduction at least.
Peter Orr
Owner-driver
It is interesting to see that, given all the snow, we are suddenly needed. It's been a while since the country realised how essential we are.
The Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport Association should have been more vocal these past few days to let the politicians understand how needed we are.
David McCutcheon
MD, Bullet Express
The article 'Rail and bus sectors heavily subsidised by government' (CM 1 December) does not explain that rail freight gets its targeted support because of its public benefits to society and the economy.
Grants are paid because freight trains, which can remove the equivalent of up to 160 long-distance HGVs per trip, reduce road congestion that costs the economy £17bn a year, according to the Freight Transport Association. And because rail produces 70% less carbon dioxide than the equivalent road journey.
And because rail is safer than long-distance road freight using major roads, as HGVs are more than three times more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than cars because of a combination of size, lack of proper enforcement of drivers' hours, vehicle overloading and differing foreign operating standards.
Road accidents cost society £18bn a year according to the Institute of Advanced Motoring.
Philippa Edmunds
Manager, Freight on Rail
