HGV drivers should be welcomed

I have been an HGV driver since 1992 and have noticed the attitude of local councils and the public becoming more and more negative and aggressive towards the industry.

Tenbury Wells is another area trying to encourage industry but not encouraging the heavy goods vehicles to stay. There is no available parking or facilities for drivers. The only suitable place was closed recently by Shropshire County Council, lorries being accused of damaging the verge in an area which had been used for more than 20 years.

More rural areas are banning HGVs and lots of counties are banning roadside food outlets which offer a valuable service to the HGV driver. With new legislation coming in with regards to breaks and driving hours, there should be more parking facilities, not fewer. People not involved with HGVs do not understand the many rules, regulations and legislation governing the industry and the heavy penalties a driver can incur if he or she does not adhere to them.

Everyone is glad of the results of HGVs visiting their towns and villages; everything we buy has, at some time, been carried on the back of a lorry.

The people of Craven Arms must be pleased that the petrol tankers supply their garages, their daily newspaper is in the shop, Harry Tuffins is well stocked with every type of goods you can think of - all brought to them by lorries. HGV drivers should be welcomed, not slammed for being a slow-moving nuisance on the roads.

The new lorries are clean and efficient and drivers try to be as unobtrusive as possible. We would like nothing better than to be driving up and down big wide motorways all day to distribution centres. Unfortunately in rural locations this is not possible. Come on, Craven Arms, lend support, not criticism, embrace this proposal and, maybe, work with the haulier to reduce any possible noise or 'nuisance' levels.

Denise Bache,

Knighton on Teme,

Tenbury Wells.