UK truckers discuss protests over high fuel prices

Grifter

A recession will reduce the number of people travelling by train or anything else. We also have a quite good canal network which would be good for transporting non perishable goods.

The problem I see is not so much the poor condition of the rail networks but in transporting goods from train station to supermarket. I can imagine horrendous congestion in village and town centres as they are not geared up for so much stuff being moved around in such close proximity.

Also there would be incresed need for road maintenance in these areas, causing yet more logistical problems.

People are just gonna have to put up with having less stuff, even if they could afford more. Simply getting the stuff to people will be very difficult.

whereagles

Well, I guess you can live ok with short-distance trucking, long-distance being covered by rail. It can be done in my country because most railroads are underused. Only the main north/south track is under stress.

Twilight · Expert Joined: Mar 02, 2007 Posts: 2971 Location: UK

UK rail has good post-peak potential, but it depends what gets priority, moving goods or people. Unfortunately, the answer is certain to be people. Goods don't lobby to be moved.

I think long-distance freight deliveries will be among the first functions compromised by fuel shortages. There is no easy solution. You can't move goods the short distance from warehouse to supermarket if it never arrives at the warehouse. That part of the trip can be two hundred miles.

The first supply shocks will also expose the inefficiencies of the present centralised system. You may live near a port, but that probably doesn't affect your 'food miles'. In all likelihood it still gets hauled to a regional warehouse facility before it makes its way back to you. A supermarket chain will probably save more money running everything through a handful of giant facilities than it will saving a few coastal cities the journey. Bear in mind the decision will have been made with oil at 1/3 of the price today and diesel around 7/10. When supply fails to meet demand for a couple of weeks, they will see their distribution chain seize. The first few times, a lot of people are going to be caught in the right place, but with the system not making use of it.
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Andrew_S · Intermediate Crude Joined: Jan 09, 2005 Posts: 683

timbo

Judgie

cube · Fusion Joined: Mar 12, 2005 Posts: 3375

whereagles

KevO · Expert Joined: May 24, 2005 Posts: 2338

so what happened at the meeting?
did they all decide it's game over and had a wee dram?
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