Overloaded with nostalgia?
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Iwonder if, perhaps, the overloading regulations were less stringently enforced in the 1930s?
Bird's Eye View (CM15-21 July) showed the AJS three wheeler cran which, according to the details given, carried 500cwt. That works out, in this metric day and age, at no less than 25 tonnes, or over eight tonnes per wheel, not per axle, per wheel.
I can just remember seeing vehicles like this in England in my youth, many years ago now, and they are still common in India, Thailand, southern Italy etc, usually Ves-pa/ Lambretta-based these days. But never have I seen one =lying even a fifth of the load you say this lovely old vehicle was capable of. Keep up the good work, always an interesting read, even to superannuated ex-truckers such as myself.
George Fardell
Lympstone, Devon.
Premiums rising in
The reference to a new accidental damage insurance scheme (CM May 27 -June 2) is misleading when it suggests that costs incurred as a result of drivers' negligence are "unlikely".
On the contrary, the sharp increase in the number of drivers' negligence claims are evidenced by the dramatic rise in premiums.
Faced with such risks, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of driving agencies taking our drivers' negligence policies. Similarly, more employers are insisting that agencies provide evidence of cover before granting contracts.
The Drivers' Negligence Plan, available from the Special Risks Division of Jardine Insurance Brokers, offers cover for various indemnity limits up to £10,000 per claim.
The large number of agencies participating in the scheme enables Jardine to negotiate competitive premiums on their behalf. Hilary Wilkins Managing Director Special Risks Division Jardine Insurance Brokers
Devereux pa v talks
FFurther to the recent article that appeared in Commercial Motor on Billingham-based haulier KW Devereux & Sons the Transport & General Workers Union wishes to clarify a point.
The company's proposed pay freeze was rejected by "a majority of those balloted" and not "more than 70 drivers" as quoted.
The TGWU appreciates that the article caused some concern to the company and wishes to state that it was not its intention to create a situation which might result in confusion to the company or its customers.
It has now been agreed that discussions will take place between the company and the union under the auspices of ACAS, with a view to achieving a conclusion to this year's wage negotiations. Allan Gray TGWU.