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RESCUE OPERATIONS
Page 45
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On Ordnance Survey maps, a narrow road with passing places is represented by a red and white stripe. It's a symbol familiar to Stewart's drivers. Some of their routes, such as the A838 between Laxford and Lairg alongside Loch Shin, include more than 40 miles of single-track road.
Sometimes there are few passing places. A breakdown in these remote locations can cause severe difficultes. Although there are instances, says Stewart Clegg, owner and managing director of JSC Refrigerated Transport, when the 'local' truck dealer has provided a very welcome speedy service, despite the difficult driving conditions.
"Volvo Action Service responded to a breakdown in January at night up in the North-West. We had a break in a battery cable. Fortunately, the truck had broken down in the biggest lay-by for miles and was not blocking what is a very narrow road. The Volvo dealer from Inverness was there inside two hours and got us back on the road again. We need that kind of dedicated service. We can't let a trailer of freshly harvested salmon stand at the side of the road waiting for a technician to fix it. The Volvo dealer did a great job."
Collecting from locations such as Kinlochbervie, Durness and Scourie involves driving along roads which Clegg describes as having "just peat and a big ditch" on either side. It is here that meeting a car and caravan in summer can cause delays because there are few lay-bys for passing.