Recovery men go to High Court
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• Recovery operators are to challenge the police next month in the High Court in a bid to end a practice which they say adds £15 to recovery bills for LGV operators and motorists.
In an action against Greater Manchester police and the AA, Farnworth-based recovery operator Century Motors will argue that the chief constable has acted beyond his authority by bringing in the AA to administer and distribute accident recovery work in the area. According to the Road Rescue Recovery Association, which is backing the action, the ruling could be binding on the other 11 police forces in the UK which have contracted out their recovery operation to the AA or RAC.
Greater Manchester police claims the contracting out of non-core operations, such as recovery, saves police time and money. But RRRA chairman Peter Cosby says police contracts mean motorists and hauliers are paying more money for a less efficient recovery service. "As soon as you introduce a third party between the police and the recovery operator, you slow down the service to the customer and increase the chances of error," he says. "The AA and RAC have to make a profit out of it, and so the motorist and haulier ends up paying an extra £15 in administration charges.
The High Court hearing is on 25-27 March. Recovery operators upset by AA contracts with police.