A Coastal Bulk vessel passes Houses of Parliament
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Shipping boss blasts Government's
policies
Are we missing the point? Phone us! He challenges...
Coastal Bulk Shipping Ltd, who operated
the familiar 'HOO' named vessels (although the HOO part was dropped
last year after the company changed its name from Lapthorn's) have
issued a withering rebuke aimed at the British Government.
In the statement the company's boss Tim Lowry pours scorn on the
Government's green credentials and claims with regards to shifting
cargo from road to sea. He accused the Government of 'posturing'
"We had understood the Government, prompted by Brussels, wants to
encourage greater use of the environmentally friendly water option for
transportation of freight. After recent posturing, two current
developments make us question if the commitment to help the
environment (eg by reducing lorry traffic and road congestion) is
genuine :" he says and goes on:
"Olympic site - huge quantities of waste material and spoil (some
contaminated) are leaving each day by road for landfill being
transported through built up areas. What happened to the fanfare of
using the river Thames ? Will the Prescott Lock be ready after the
event ? Are we missing something ?
"Oversize loads - (also referred to as Indivisible Loads)- the policy
of establishing whether a water option exists prior to issuing a road
transport permit is now under review. The Government is proposing that
if the financial cost of using water is more than 20% of the value of
the load, then a road permit may be granted. This is an unworkable as
well as misguided concept. "
He asked who "will provide the cost estimates? Who will evaluate the
economics ?"
He said that the Government were giving out 'conflicting signals' and
that added "this regression of policy does not give any encouragement
to British ship owners like Coastal Bulk."
Clearly exasperated, Mr Lowry finished his statement by saying "If we
are missing the point please be kind enough to phone me. Thank you."
Coastal Bulk's website is at: http://www.coastalbulkshipping.co.uk
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