A question of escorts
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• Police escorts are a further cause of frustration for heavy transport specialists—but the problem could soon be eased. Richard Dunkerley, chairman of the Heavy Transport Association, says: "Police numbers were reduced about three years ago which is leading to unacceptable delays in the escorts arriving. When you get to a police boundary, the problem starts all over again." Geoffrey Johnson, managing director of GCS Johnson, says costing jobs is extremely difficult because of the delays. "In one case, we calculated the running time was live hours—and it took three days. We lost hundreds from that job."
A spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers says the Government has already decided to withdraw routine police escorts for loads of less than 80 tonnes and below 4.3m in width on motorways and major trunk roads. "Loads above those levels will be undertaken by certificated 'private escorts," he says, adding that the Home Office is currently considering what training is necessary to give escorts accreditation.