Neat drivers, please take a bow
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ONE OFTEN hears and reads of complaints against the "Juggernaut" as a so-called menace to modern society. As a regular user of the M1 and M4I see in my travels thousands of heavies, some of them hardly meriting a second glance, others well turned out or sheeted and roped to perfection.
Recently I was heading south down the M1 towards London, a violent thunderstorm was raging and I was just contemplating pulling over when I noticed the large tanker in front, travelling about 25mph owing to the heavy rain. The tanker was well lit with well cleared lamps and mud flaps to reduce the spray, and in addition to its rear lights the tanker had the additional high !intensity red lamp which can be seen before the ordinary lights come into view; to me these were a blessing on that particularly bad day.
Through the courtesy of your column may I thank some of the firms that I have seen with immaculately turned out lorries; Messrs Dawson Freight, a very impressive fleet with a nice line in livery; the container transport firm, Messrs Russell Davies; and Messrs Ferrymasters.
For many firms the haulier represents his company's image. A well turned out vehicle promotes this impression, and a great deal of satisfaction can be gained from travelling behind such outfits.
For me, pride of place must go to the Cheshire Haulage firm of Messrs Jones Lynch hauling bulk products for Messrs ICI Runcorn. I have seen many road tankers in my travels but this firm and Messrs Dawson Freight head my list for having the most immaculately turned out vehicle with a nice line in livery. Drivers and firms, please take a bow. JONATHON HOWES Slough Berkshire PS I enjoy reading the road test reports in CM even though I have never driven a modern heavy.