I DON'T know about the rest of your readers, but I for one am getting a little bored with the whole Tesco/Co-op story. I hope the decision one way or the other is made soon so the stupid letters can stop being written.
Okay, so what's the worst that can happen if Tesco are allowed to build – a couple of extra lorries each day using the roads? Most people seem to think that these so-called 'monsters of the road' are going to flatten everything in sight up and down the High Street. Well, I guess these people have never driven one.
HGV drivers are highly skilled professionals who drive thousands of miles each week keeping factories going, keeping shop shelves full of food and clothes, and petrol stations full of fuel. These men and women are out driving whilst most 9-5ers are still tucked up in bed in the morning, and have been trained to a higher standard than non-HGV drivers can understand. They can reverse these 'massive beasts' into places most people wouldn't drive their car into.
To be able to drive a lorry I first passed my normal car test, then I had to train in a four wheeled rigid, 17 ton lorry for four days and then pass a strict driving test. After driving an eight wheeler for a couple of years I then trained in an artic for another four days and pass yet another test. So that's three training courses and three tests, and believe me these courses ain't cheap, and to be fair, now that the licensing rules have been changed younger drivers nowadays have even more tests to take.
Most of the problems involving lorries in small towns are caused by other road users not giving us enough room to manoeuvre or simply drive them in a straight line. For example, I was in a line of cars the other day driving up through Cinderford when the person in front stopped because of a bus coming the other way. The fact that this person was driving over the centre white line obviously had nothing to do with it.
These modern lorries are as easy to drive as a car, they have power steering, plenty of mirrors to see others on the road and are available with fully automatic gearboxes, so come on, lay off us guys and gals who are simply doing our job.
I hope Tesco do come to Cinderford, for one it'll save me driving to Gloucester once a fortnight and will give me cheaper fuel for my car. I think the Co-op have had it to themselves for too long now, and I think between the main Co-op, the small Co-op on Valley Road, Westgate and the funeral directors they own enough and need some serious competitor. – A.1. Driver, Cinderford.