'An odd overload'
Page 19

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AN ODD circumstance whereby no overloading offence was committed while a tractive unit and trailer were coupled, but the trailer was found to be overweight when it was uncoupled, was described to the Yorkshire deputy Licensing Authority, N. F. Moody, at York.
Springfield Haulage Co (Hull) Ltd had been called before the DLA, following a conviction for overloading in October, 1977, despite warnings at previous public inquiries in September, 1974, and August, 1976.
For Springfield, J. R. Taylor said that at the last public inquiry the DLA had indicated he appreciated the difficulties hauliers in Hull, who collected Continental trailers from the docks, found themselves in.
The October conviction had been for exceeding the gross weight of a trailer, the overload being 1 ton 6 cwt. The problem was that while the unit was coupled together, the axle and train weights had not been exceeded.
However, the tractor and trailer were regarded as two separate vehicles and when uncoupled it was found that the trailer was overweight.
Mr Moody said that in the circumstances he did not feel he ought to take any action.