kapri
28-08-12, 10:27 PM
Draft MP /MEP letter (http://www.the-ace.org.uk/chat_with_ace/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1023#p5956)
http://www.the-ace.org.uk/chat_with_ace/styles/se_pro_1.0.4/imageset/icon_post_target.gif (http://www.the-ace.org.uk/chat_with_ace/viewtopic.php?p=5956#p5956)by Kev Rooney (http://www.the-ace.org.uk/chat_with_ace/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=3) » Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:23 pm
With thanks to James Gulliver for his time.
MPs / MEPS will simply ignore mass/copied emails or snail mails Plus use the draft and add your personal (non ranting ) views to ensure you letter is seen as a one off. We do not want to alienate those we contact but to make them aware of our hobby and to 'get them on side'.
Emailing a copy is fine but preferably follow it up with a snail mail version as this shows a real concern, especially when there are extra large maildrops. It is far easier to delete an email unread.
Find your MP MEP
http://www.writetothem.com/ ( e mail )
http://www.europarl.org.uk/view/en/your_MEPs.html (full contact)
http://www.europarl.org.uk/view/en/your ... C360238A80 (http://www.europarl.org.uk/view/en/your_MEPs/List-MEPs-by-region.html;jsessionid=1E18EC3604BFE8415C06BBC3602 38A80)
MEP's
Address
Here
Dear [Insert Name Here],
I am writing to you to raise my deep concerns over proposed legislation regarding routine roadworthiness testing in the EU. The proposal in question is intended to harmonise the testing requirements across the Union to ease cross-border sales, while improving road safety.
I'm sure you will agree that this is a laudable aim. However, were this legislation to come into force it would adversely affect the large, longstanding modified car industry, the large longstanding Historic car industry and the general motoring public within the UK, by means of restricting the alterations that can be carried out and increasing the cost of roadworthiness tests (MoT tests in the UK).
The proposed legislation requires all car manufacturers to provide minute detail concerning the construction of every car – down to the size of the spare wheel and the divisions on the speedometer – and requires that testers have access to this information in order to ensure that these details remain unchanged year on year. As such, even minor alterations to a vehicle will result in a failure of the roadworthiness test.
It follows that this development will require a very significant investment in IT equipment at test stations, the creation of a national database with a manufacturer's record for each individual car (not each model of car) – and of course ongoing maintenance of this database, which will in itself not be a small cost. Also, these details will be exceptionally hard to obtain for cars already in existence – for example, which authority will take responsibility for recording the manufacturing details of every Mini ever produced, now that the Rover group is no more? This could present a significant problem to the Historic Vehicle fraternity.
In addition, the legislation requires roadworthiness test centres to test such items as brake fluid and shock absorbers. The addition of these tests will increase the amount of time taken to test each car, inevitably driving up the cost of testing – while also requiring MoT test stations (many of which are small independent businesses) to invest in a significant quantity of extra equipment to enable them to continue to offer MoT tests.
The UK easily has in excess of 2 million owners of modified cars, with a value to the economy conservatively estimated to be £20bn. The 2011 Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs survey of members found that over 28,000 people were employed in the Historic vehicle industry, with a value of £4.3bn – also creating exports worth £1bn. 57% of these businesses are over 20 years old, and another 52% are expecting their businesses to grow within the next 5 years.
As can be seen, the world of modified and historic vehicles makes a considerable contribution to the UK's economy as a whole, as well as the employment figures. I appreciate that Historic and Modified cars may not be to your taste – however, much like standard cars, the vast majority of these cars are owned by responsible, law-abiding citizens who only wish to enjoy driving something slightly out of the ordinary.
Historic cars represent a tangible link to the past of this country, while modifying motor vehicles has long been a part of our heritage, this is exactly how many now prestige car manufacturers actually began – this is one of the reasons that British sports cars are renowned the world over and many Formula 1 teams still have their engineering bases in the UK, considered to be the best in the World. We also have a vibrant grassroots motorsport community, producing world class F1 and rally drivers. Stifling this unique historical creativity will affect our country's economy, the right of citizens to their pastimes and our ability to compete in the world of motorsport.
Therefore I urge you to strongly oppose this legislation in any way possible.
Yours sincerely.
[sign here]
http://www.the-ace.org.uk/chat_with_ace/styles/se_pro_1.0.4/imageset/icon_post_target.gif (http://www.the-ace.org.uk/chat_with_ace/viewtopic.php?p=5956#p5956)by Kev Rooney (http://www.the-ace.org.uk/chat_with_ace/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=3) » Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:23 pm
With thanks to James Gulliver for his time.
MPs / MEPS will simply ignore mass/copied emails or snail mails Plus use the draft and add your personal (non ranting ) views to ensure you letter is seen as a one off. We do not want to alienate those we contact but to make them aware of our hobby and to 'get them on side'.
Emailing a copy is fine but preferably follow it up with a snail mail version as this shows a real concern, especially when there are extra large maildrops. It is far easier to delete an email unread.
Find your MP MEP
http://www.writetothem.com/ ( e mail )
http://www.europarl.org.uk/view/en/your_MEPs.html (full contact)
http://www.europarl.org.uk/view/en/your ... C360238A80 (http://www.europarl.org.uk/view/en/your_MEPs/List-MEPs-by-region.html;jsessionid=1E18EC3604BFE8415C06BBC3602 38A80)
MEP's
Address
Here
Dear [Insert Name Here],
I am writing to you to raise my deep concerns over proposed legislation regarding routine roadworthiness testing in the EU. The proposal in question is intended to harmonise the testing requirements across the Union to ease cross-border sales, while improving road safety.
I'm sure you will agree that this is a laudable aim. However, were this legislation to come into force it would adversely affect the large, longstanding modified car industry, the large longstanding Historic car industry and the general motoring public within the UK, by means of restricting the alterations that can be carried out and increasing the cost of roadworthiness tests (MoT tests in the UK).
The proposed legislation requires all car manufacturers to provide minute detail concerning the construction of every car – down to the size of the spare wheel and the divisions on the speedometer – and requires that testers have access to this information in order to ensure that these details remain unchanged year on year. As such, even minor alterations to a vehicle will result in a failure of the roadworthiness test.
It follows that this development will require a very significant investment in IT equipment at test stations, the creation of a national database with a manufacturer's record for each individual car (not each model of car) – and of course ongoing maintenance of this database, which will in itself not be a small cost. Also, these details will be exceptionally hard to obtain for cars already in existence – for example, which authority will take responsibility for recording the manufacturing details of every Mini ever produced, now that the Rover group is no more? This could present a significant problem to the Historic Vehicle fraternity.
In addition, the legislation requires roadworthiness test centres to test such items as brake fluid and shock absorbers. The addition of these tests will increase the amount of time taken to test each car, inevitably driving up the cost of testing – while also requiring MoT test stations (many of which are small independent businesses) to invest in a significant quantity of extra equipment to enable them to continue to offer MoT tests.
The UK easily has in excess of 2 million owners of modified cars, with a value to the economy conservatively estimated to be £20bn. The 2011 Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs survey of members found that over 28,000 people were employed in the Historic vehicle industry, with a value of £4.3bn – also creating exports worth £1bn. 57% of these businesses are over 20 years old, and another 52% are expecting their businesses to grow within the next 5 years.
As can be seen, the world of modified and historic vehicles makes a considerable contribution to the UK's economy as a whole, as well as the employment figures. I appreciate that Historic and Modified cars may not be to your taste – however, much like standard cars, the vast majority of these cars are owned by responsible, law-abiding citizens who only wish to enjoy driving something slightly out of the ordinary.
Historic cars represent a tangible link to the past of this country, while modifying motor vehicles has long been a part of our heritage, this is exactly how many now prestige car manufacturers actually began – this is one of the reasons that British sports cars are renowned the world over and many Formula 1 teams still have their engineering bases in the UK, considered to be the best in the World. We also have a vibrant grassroots motorsport community, producing world class F1 and rally drivers. Stifling this unique historical creativity will affect our country's economy, the right of citizens to their pastimes and our ability to compete in the world of motorsport.
Therefore I urge you to strongly oppose this legislation in any way possible.
Yours sincerely.
[sign here]