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loM government procurement process called into question

12th November 2009
Page 8
Page 8, 12th November 2009 — loM government procurement process called into question
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By Chris Tindall QUESTIONS ARE being raised about the thoroughness of the Isle of Man government's tendering process, after a truck run by a contractor it chose to haul quarrying products was transported home for being unroadworthy.

The embarrassing revelation casts further doubt on the Island's ability to introduce an 0-licensing system. Lancashire port police stopped the vehicle as it made its way to Norfolk via Heysham port.

John Dennehy, for RI Holbrook, admits the lorry's tyres were found to be "below the legal limit" and was, therefore, placed onto a lowloader to be taken the remaining 272 miles to Norwich. The decision by contractor Colas to use RI Holbrook vehicles for the airport extension project and not IoM hauliers has caused anger and disbelief among local businesses (Isle of Man go-slow over airport contract', CM 22 October).

In response to a go-slow protest, the Manx Department of Transport (DoT) said: "The contractor and its main sub-contractor have had to go through a competitive process to establish competence, quality and value for money."

It said that local resources must be utilised, adding: -We also have 10 accept that such a requirement must also be reflective of the need for the contractor to ensure that the services they are obtaining — in this case trucks — are lit for purpose, safe, competent and provide value for money."

Dennehy tells CM that the firm has had no communication from the police authority.

He adds: "One vehicle came back on a low-loader because the tyres were below the legal limit. It couldn't be put on the road. All the others came back on their own accord. There were six in total."

A spokesman for the Island Road Transport Association says that the incident "beggars belief.'

"What message is this sending out?" he says. "No wonder our members are up in arms, especially when these trucks were described as 'fit for purpose' by our transport minister."

The DoT did not respond.


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