Catch and carry
Page 56
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LTere is a bizarre example of 1 lhow we have got law enforcement priorities totally wrong in this country.
Recently, a blue chip company was fined £750 with £300 costs by Brent magistrates, because some of its vehicles diverted off the North Circular Road in order to meet timed deliveries to Marks & Spencer's central London stores.
In doing so, they were found guilty of breaching conditions of their lorry ban exemption permit.
Yet on Saturday 24 April, in broad daylight, two hooded terrorists drove a stolen tipper truck loaded with explosives, parked it in the middle of the City on double yellow lines and calmly caught the tube without being apprehended. F W L Ellis Managing director, F William Ellis, Worksop, Nottingham.
We cover it
Iwas interested to read your Test Case article covering Hazchem training for drivers in last week's CM
In it, Bob Little said that training for drivers of vehicles with radioactive substances is not yet widely available.
Just this week, the Freight Transport Association has received Department of Transport approval to provide the Class 7— Radioactives Module. With seven instructors, we are now able to offer courses nationwide to FTA members.
Keith Taylor
Director of training and personnel, FTA.
Any tractor plans?
Iwasglad to see that AWD has been bought by Marshall. Does the new owner have plans to relaunch the Bedford TM tractor units?
It struck me that one of AWD's mistakes was not to offer a full model range up to 38 tonnes and to rely on the limited appeal of the TL cabs.
The TM design, perhaps with a Cummins 325 and Eaton twinsplitter, would seem a good, no-fl-ills fleet motor and, without development costs, could be aggressively priced?
Stephen Edwards Edinburgh.
Highway robbery
ighway robbery is alive 1 land kicking. We have had an invoice from AA/MAN Fleet Rescue for attending a breakdown which took about five minutes to rectify
The charge to get the fitter in his 35cwt van to the scene was £68.75 fora claimed round trip of 55 miles — a rate of £1.25 per mile. I wish we could get that for a 32-tonne attic, let alone a 35ewt van!
The fitter also went via the motorway, some 50% greater mileage. When we complained we were told that the charges were justified and immediate payment was requested How these rams can be justified, God and the AA knows.
So fellow hauliers be warned, don't break down and, if you do, send your own man — it's cheaper.
If you break down near Sheffield, give us a ring. We will be delighted to charge you £60 plus an hour, but in fact we would only charge £20 an hour. Perhaps the AA can tell us where we have gone wrong? H W Ganley Managing director, Lawlers of Dronfield Sheffield.