French stalling in belly tank battle
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by Kathy Watson • The French Government is set to perform a U-turn on its recent promise to allow belly tanks. This would destroy British hauliers' hopes they would soon be able to use the tanks in France without hindrance. The French Department of Transport says it will not allow supplementary tanks "because of the risk of accidents to other road users".
European Commission spokesman Henri Wibault explains French authorities will not accept tanks bolted on to trailers after manufacture. But he adds that the French have conceded that catwalk or saddle tanks connected to the main running tank are an integral part of the manufacturer's product and cannot reasonably be outlawed.
• Owner-driver Keith Godden of Sittingbourne, Kent, is threatening to sue French customs for the return of Ins impounded rig, invoicing them for more than E40,000 to cover his losses.
Godilen's vehicle was impounded al Le Touquet on 8 April after he contested a E1,400 fine for his main running tank, a catwalk tank.
He has written to French officials pointing out that catwalk or saddle tanks are exempt from customs duty under European Union law because they are normal running tanks. • Mark Owens of M&J Owens from Bolton, Lanes, says he was arrested, detained overnight, forced to pay a 13,000 fine and thrown out of tht country for alleged contraventions of French law on belly tanks. He was carrying 400 litres of diesel bought in the UK in the trailer belly tank.
The French DOT says it will clarify its position in a letter to the UK government this week. It denies breaking verbal agreements with the UK on the introduction of a certification system which would have legalised the use of belly tanks in France. But the French insistence that the use of belly tanks breaks ADR rules has angered British officials. Roger Smith, head of the international transport branch of the DOT's freight and road haulage division, warns: "We will continue to press the French but we are not going to carry on waiting."
This latest twist in the battle between British drivers and French customs comes on top of a rash of incidents this week involving UK operators: 11 A haulier is threatening to sue French customs: his truck was confiscated two months ago (see story, left); A driver has been fined £3,000 for carrying a belly tank; another was fined £1,900 for failing to carry a TREM card— even though his belly tank was empty.
The DOT maintains belly tanks are legal but advises operators to leave them at home until the problem is resolved. Smith urges hauliers with tank problems in France to contact him at Room S1607, DOT, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1.