Govt cash call for weigh sites
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Two trade associations are calling for Government cash to be given to companies to run public weighbridges, and for more Department of Transport manned weighbridge sites to be provided for hauliers.
In their comments to the Vehicle Inspectorate's review of the weighbridge programme, the Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association both say there are not enough self-weigh sites for operators to obey the law.
Many firms with their own weighbridges are reluctant to open them to other hauliers because of the increased maintenance cost, says the FTA.
The VI should contribute towards the running costs of a private weighbridge on the understanding that it would become available for public and enforcement use, it says.
"Proper provision of checkweigh facilities will allow you and the other enforcement authorities to target your resources at the operator making little or no effort to remain within the law."
The RHA says in its submission that there are too few check-weigh sites and that consignors should be "made more clearly responsible in law for the accurate declaration" of the weight of goods. It wants the Dip to have sole responsibility for vehicle weighing, and accuses local authority Trading Standards officials of paying "scant regard to either the technical aspects of vehicle weighing or to the accuracy limitations of their weighing equipment".
The development of accurate, portable weighing equipment and a "robust and inexpensive" on-board axle weigher should be pursued, it says, but it acknowledges that vandalism at selfweigh sites is a problem.
The Vehicle Inspectorate says it is "looking at all possibilities" for improving the provision of weighbridges before reporting to the Transport Secretary by Christmas.