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It's an unfair cop
Page 8
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Special Types operators have every reason to be angered by the Metropolitan Police's decision to withdraw its heavy haulage escort services from all but a few special cases. Especially as no-one asked them about it beforehand. But they shouldn't be surprised. Police forces throughout the country are under intense public pressure to tackle violent crime and faced with tabloid headlines along the lines of "84-yearold Gran battered by evil muggers", escorting wide loads is probably the last thing on their minds.
Unfortunately heavy hauliers rely on police escorts to ensure their journey is completed safely and legally. Many must be wondering whether they'll still get that service in London following the new proposals. And when things go wrong who will pick up the tab?
The presence of a uniformed policeman is usually enough to make most drivers or pedestrians think twice before doing something silly. As Mark Range says: "..without the Police, no-one will take any notice." So why not use the much publicised so-called "Neighbourhood Police"? After all, they'd know what streets are most suitable to handle a 6o-tonne generator on a low loader. And they'd be in uniform too.
Unfortunately, that suggestion doesn't appear to have the backing of operators, never mind the Police. Even so, it may be the best compromise if the alternative is privatised escorts with no legal authority and crippling insurance