The numbers game
Page 22
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How can hauliers hope to make a living when unworkable situations and conditions are set and hauliers are not notified?
We recently had a bulk load at Shobdon, Herefordshire, destined for Barry, South Glamorgan. I returned the loaded artic ready for delivery the next day. On inspection we found a problem with the tractor unit, but having a spare unit we decided to fix the ailing unit the next morning and deliver the load with another unit.
On arriving at Barry the driver was told that the load was to be rejected because the registration number on the passport form was different to the vehicle delivery (despite the driver altering the ticket to his own registration beforehand). I was told that Barry was correct in rejecting our load, it being a new rule that it had set We could not under any circumstance tip, and we would have to return to the place of loading (Shobdon) for another passport with the correct registration. This leads to several problems: first that shunting units cannot be used for loading. You would not be able to change units to tip the trailer in cases of breakdown. The loader could not rectify a mistake in the registration number and if the load was delivered on that passport it would be rejected.
I have been informed that from today you should enter the trailer number, not the registration on the grain passport. However, using a weighbridge requires the registration number.
Be warned. I am a totally frustrated haulier!
Andrew Brick Brick Bros, Knighton.