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Safeway gas trucks recalled
Page 6
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nat's gone wrong with Safevvay's CNG-powered Scanias? Chris Tindall reports SAFE WAY has been forced into an embarrassing U-turn following Scania's decision to take all its converted natural gas (CNG) Scanias off the road after CM revealed they were over-heating and prone to sudden engine failure.
On 24 October, after 18 months of complaints from the supermarket's drivers, Scania recalled the CNG 3-Series tractors. An extensive testing programme will be carried out: in the meantime conventional diesels are back at the Aylesford, Bellshill and Welwyn Garden City depots.
Safeway deputy general manager Brian Matthews has told staff: "Following the identification of an issue affecting the CNG vehicles, Scania GB has decided to conduct a product recall on the CNG fleet until such time as the problem has been resolved."
Scania says:"We believe that the only course of action is to continue our extensive testing programme. Any trucks that fail should be removed from service until further testing."
Safeway finally acknowledged the problems and opened talks with the drivers and the GMB union after CM repeatedly highlighted drivers' fears (CM 23 October). It declines to comment further on the current situation.
"With the bad publicity the company had to do something," says one driver.-The union wasn't happy with the way the vehicles were running either. The management went away for a meeting, then they agreed to take them off the road at all three depots."
But many drivers are still con cerned that the measure is only temporary and there are still questions that need answering.
"The exhaust brake has been removed," says one. -The brakes do work well but we cannot understand how a vehicle can be designed with an exhaust brake and then [have it] removed. The drivers' handbook says they must be used to prevent brakes from over-heating."