Spanish blitz on British truckers
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• Drivers in Spain face crippling roadside fines for even minor offences, hauliers are warning. They say the Spanish authorities have become noticeably tougher over the past three months.
Last week two drivers running for Matsolex of Southampton were among a group from various PC states who were fined £250 each just outside Madrid for not having their permits stamped.
This was despite having been waved through the border at Irun by agitated police facing a near riot by clearance agents, who were protesting about another strike by Customs officers.
Matsolex's drivers were not allowed to continue until the fines had been paid. "The whole thing is getting out of hand," says Matsolex's Martyn Wright.
Two drivers for Noel Zwecker, the Northern Ireland haulier, were fined £700 by the Spanish for an hours offence committed in France.
It has got to the stage where Spain is not an acceptable destination," says transport manager Michael Rolston.
Steve Sawtry, who runs the international desk at Hargrave International, says he now stresses to the firm's drivers: "The little mistakes you might have got away with once you can't afford now."