MOB RULE MUST STOP

The picture in Tuesday's FT said it all. Environmental roads protestors had invaded the very heart of the roads' citadel, Laurie Haynes' Highways Agency office, and were posing for the camera. In the background, Mr Haynes himself affected blithe indifference while pretending to go about his normal duties. As a telling image of the DoT's ostrich-like attitude to the media-wise roads protestors, it could not be bettered.

For nearly two years now, the protestors have been making all the running. When the Green movement turned its attention to roadbuilding, the Department of Transport was caught on the hop by the ferocity of opposition its plans had evoked - and has been on the back foot ever since. From Oxleas Woods onwards, capitulation has followed capitulation with the result that the roads programme has been savagely shorn. Yet like Danegeld in former times, such sacrifices have only served to sharpen the Green appetite for further success. And such is their confidence, there now appears no scheme the emboldened protestors will not attack.

In the forefront of all this ferocity are, of course, the contractors. Like poor foot-soldiers, it is they who must do battle with the opposition while their chiefs in Marsham Street bluster ineffectually in the search for a strategy. Consider how the contractors have been let down by their client. In the early days of Twyford Down, not only were they fighting the so-called Dongas on their own, the contractors were being forced to defray additional security expenses themselves. Eventually, the DoT woke up to reality and allowed expenses to be tendered in.

Other DoT adjustments have followed, but only after contractors have been literally and metaphorically ambushed. Now a further awakening to reality is again required. For although ostensibly armed this year by the Criminal Justice Act, contractors are finding the new legislation less effective than promised. In several instances police have been reluctant to make the necessary arrests. Chief inspectors argue that this serves merely to create 'martyrs', who are, of course, the most effective recruiting sergeants for further demonstrators. Additionally, police resources are already so badly stretched, there is real reluctance to divert the police from their more conventional duties. So what then - to take the latest clash - is Wimpey meant to do on the M77? Wait for the tree people to get bored and retire? Or muscle their way onto site so the programme can be met?

Discussion, which all responsible contractors have attempted, is unlikely to succeed with people to whom the democratic nature of the planning system means so little. Ultimately, if the schemes are to proceed, police-backed force seems the only way contractors can perform their contractual duties. Yet not only does this expose contractors to danger and extra cost, it makes them appear more brutish than the protestors. Yet another blow for our industry.

If protestors are not to go on whittling away at the roads programme, the Highways Agency must do more to shield contractors from the mob. Worryingly, the attitudes conveyed in that FT picture suggest this is beyond them. It will be a brave contractor that tenders for a roads job from now on.