Honourable mention
Page 23
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Through your columns I would like to express my, and my passengers, sincere thanks to a garage in West Yorkshire—Northern Commercial at Roytown, near Cleckheaton.
On Friday, 28 April I was driving a 16-seat mini-bus with eleven passengers on board, from Boston via York and Leeds to Sowerby Bridge, when late afternoon in Leeds the brakes went almost completely without any previous warning, With frantic use of hand brake and pumping the foot pedal, braking was restored well enough to get us out of Leeds and to look for a Leyland Daf service works; not an easy thing at almost five o'clock on a Friday afternoon.
We were recommended to go to Northern Commercial workshops by the Leyland Daf heavy commercial garages on the A58. Once we had arrived at Northern Commercial, although it was late in the afternoon, we were amazed how soon they willingly made us welcome, found the trouble with the brakes, a faulty master cylinder, which was quickly replaced, road tested, and ready for the off.
Not only did they do all this, but they brewed tea for myself and the passengers, which was very welcome. Truly an excellent garage. GE Wortley Frampton Place, Boston, Lincs.
Specialist view Over the past year there has been a fight between the DSA and training bodies regarding the hooking of LW Ministry Tests. On several occasions CM highlighted the dilemma which the DSA has placed on the Training Industry Now the DSA proposes
• 10-week pre-payment; • No cancellation, • No refunds, plus a .E5 supplement for pre-booking.
Even a person without a degree in mathematics would say that they have all the balls in their court!
The industry, which is made of many small or oneman bands cannot withstand the added expenditure of excessive pre-booking time, plus no re-funds or cancellations. Many would be put out of business within weeks. OK, the big boys can state that they are in agreement, many of these are worms that have turned, thinking it will give them more of the market. But I would stress that as an association, we have many members countrywide and have been successful up to now in our fight against the DSA. All the training providers in this South-West Area have banded together, made sacrifices, lobbied MN, and now have a regular
meeting in order to discuss matters. It still leaves open competition, but it also keeps everyone in the picture. The DSA has proved that it does not want to keep anyone in the picture, it acts as if it does not realise that it is the likes of the small training body that pays its wages. If it wants to make a profit, put someone in charge that knows what the industry is all about. The decisions made at boardmom level are only on figures, not facts.
Tony Hall Secretary, Association of Vocational Driver 'I 'raining Providers, Keynsham, Bristol.