Tab appeal
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Local authority vehicles should be among those exempt from the new EEC drivers' hours rules, the Freight Transport Association has told the Government.
In its official response to new Department of Transport's proposals, due to come into force on September 29, the FTA stresses the need for all municipal vehicles to stay outside the ambit of the new rules.
DTp's proposes that a large proportion of municipal vehicles will be subject to the rules from January 1, 1990 and will need tachographs.
"In most respects, local authorities regard their operations as being specialised and different to goods vehicles generally and can see no reason why you have adopted a different line," FTA legal and parliamentary controller David Green has told the DTp.
The FTA has also asked for operators in the Scottish islands of Arran and Bute to be given a derogation, because of the lack of commercial activity. The fitting of tachographs, and the driving of vehicles to the mainland for calibration and sealing is expensive and unnecessary, Green says.
FTA also argues that abnormal load movements, when accompanied by police escort, and newspaper delivery work should be exempt from the new rules.
It has also told the Government special needs provisions should be retained for highway maintenance vehicles, and gas, electricit and telecommunications lorries.
The DTp is also warned that the situation on vehicle used for door-to-door sellin confused. The DTp has sak that only mobile shops can exempt — before, specialist vehicles for door-to-door selling were free from restriction.