Catwalk problems
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II British Customs and Excise officials are hoping to arrange a fact-finding meeting with truck part manufacturers after French police fined a British driver £625 because his catwalk tank breached the carriage of hazardous goods (ADR) regula. tions.
The officials want the heavy vehicles committee of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to help them fight the French by explaining what tanks are being fitted to trucks and why. "If it's an excise duty problem we go to the excise committee," says head of revenue duties Steve Todd. "But ADR is another problem" He revealed that the fine imposed on John Compton (CM 29 June-5 July) destroyed British hopes of a truce with the French.
Previously a flurry of letters from Customs and Excise appeared to have convinced French police to stop fining
British hauliers. However, British officials admit that the French do now have the law on their side. From July, catwalk tanks breach the Second Excise Simplification Directive 94/74 unless they are fitted by the manufacturer and feed the engine directly.
Now Customs and Excise officials are joining the Department of Transport in another bid to convince the French that catwalk tanks are necessary on British trucks because the third axle leaves too little room for big conventional tanks.