That bridge
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THE CONTROVERSY over the accuracy of the dynamic axle weighbridge at Wall in Staffordshire (CM, December 17) is to be continued in February before Lichfield magistrates.
Ernest Thorpe and Company of Thurgoland, Sheffield, denies exceeding the permitted weight of the second axle of an articulated outfit by 839kg, about 8.2 per cent. So far the case has completed three days of hearing before the magistrates during which expert witnesses have been called by both sides.
Richard Austin, a partner in a firm of structural engineers, said on a recent visit to the site he found very slight puddles of water on the apron of the weighbridge, but in no case was the depth greater than 2mm.
He found no evidence of subsidence or vertical movement of the concrete slabs making up the apron. He had never known the dowell joints between the flaps to flex and there was no evidence that it was happening.
Jefferey Farrington, principal assistant engineer of Staffordshire County Council, confirmed that there was no evidence of the dowells flexing. He agreed it appeared the weighbridge had not been constructed in accordance with Department of Transport specifications but he said it had not affected accuracy.
Maurice Vandome, a consultant surveyor to the Road Haulage Assaciation, said tests before dynamic axle weighers were introduced showed that they were inaccurate if the levels of the apron were outside the laid down tolerancies.
He visited the Wall weighbridge in July. He found depressions of 12 and 13mm at the joints within the 8m critical zone on either side of the weighbeam.
The hearing was adjourned until February when the defence intends to call an expert geologist.