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Safeway drivers slam CNG trucks
Page 7
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DRIVERS FROM Safeway's Aylesford, Kent depot have swamped CM'S phonelines to add their voices to the furore surrounding their CNG (compressed natural gas) trucks.
The GMB union is calling for an independent assessment into the perceived danger posed by the converted Scania 3-Series models following growing unease among drivers (CM25 September).
Their concerns centre on alleged sudden engine failure and the extreme heat that apparently builds up in the cabs. But the drivers say their complaints are being ignored. One claims he had to drive through traffic cones on the M20 to reach the hard shoulder after his truck died on him.
Another complains: "They have invested in these gas wagons and it is a disaster. Hams are saying it's driver error-1 wish the fitters would go out with them ."Yet another fears the faults could lead to road-rage attacks:"We are going to get dragged out of the cab, they are so slow and we are losing 25-30% of our braking.It's worrying."
The heat in the cab is described by one Safeway driver as "hot as the weather in the peak of summer while you are inside with all the windows shut, the heating on full and you sitting on a radiator."
GMB senior shop steward Barry Robinson says the union has heard similar complaints from the Welwyn Garden City and Bellshill depots. He is meeting the company today (2 October) to discuss the CNG trucks and adds:"We are taking it very seriously. Our concern is that someone's going to end up in an accident." Safeway's spokeswoman would only say: "We think it's a bit of a nothing." Scania declined to comment.