Is the truck trouble coming to an end?

WE were given another assurance last week, which we duly published, that plans were being made to sort out the mess that is the truck congestion which continues to plague the region.

Strategies have been set in place, including improved communication at many levels, both ‘live’ and via regular meetings.

While we are sure the proposed measures are sincere and well-intended, we remain sceptical that we will see much of a difference.

One of the reasons is that the drivers, as well as the companies that are delivering the coal, already do not respect or adhere to the protocols that are in place, jumping the queues and failing to stick to the booking system for entry into the port staging areas.

Double parking on the N2 highway and making illegal U-turns shows a complete disregard for the rules of the road, although the drivers might argue they have little alternative.

Indeed, one might question whether the drivers are the villains or the victims

Their vehicles are being hijacked, they are being robbed of personal belongings, and thieves are stealing diesel and vehicle parts.

Then they arrive at a destination that has no truck stop or proper rest facilities after a gruelling trip, and are forced to sleep in their cabs, at great risk and discomfort.

Their frustration and anger is manifested in the way they drive, much to the misfortune of local motorists as they commute on the N2 and John Ross highway.

Also on the receiving end are the city’s roads and pavements, many of which are almost beyond repair and will need rebuilding – not to mention the local and provincial traffic department officers who work day and night, all hours, in an attempt to restore and maintain law and order.

All this in addition to their daily routine of attending accidents and other duties.

We had been informed that, given the drastic fall in coal prices, the cost of tipper truck deliveries would be prohibitive and financially not worth the trip; therefore the numbers would decrease.

However, no doubt numerous contracts were signed that must of necessity be fulfilled.

And so the endless procession of heavily-laden trucks continues to plague our beautiful city and there seems no respite in sight.

The real reason these ‘new’ tactics that are meant to ease the situation won’t work, is because they are addressing the wrong end of the problem: the number of trucks heading south from the interior coal mines is simply unmanageable.

The problem must be dealt with at the source.

We cannot make the roads any wider, nor the port any bigger.

Fewer trucks will mean less inconvenience and damage.

First prize, however, would be to restore the dedicated train line to the coal terminal to full operational capacity, and thus do away entirely with the coal trucks and the dust and damage problems they bring with them.