BRS Western strike
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• Almost all of British Coal's transport operations in South Wales have been subcontracted to BRS Western in the largest contract yet won by the NFC subsidiary.
The contract, worth 22.5 million per year, includes a sixyear contract hire agreement under which BRS Western is supplying 34 trucks and drivers for bulk coal movements (amounting to around 4,000 tonnes a week), and a five-year contract to deliver all spare parts to the 13 South Wales pits from a central depot at Tredegar.
BRS's Welsh general manager Stuart James says of the contract: "It releases British Coal from the responsibility and budgetary restrictions of owning a commercial vehicle fleet, while still offering the advantages of a dedicated distribution operation."
Seventy five vehicles and 69 drivers are included in the deal, and BRS is providing maintenance for all the vehicles from its depots at Swansea, Bridgend and Merthyr.
By selling 69 vehicles from its existing vehicle fleet to BRS Western, British Coal's South Wales area has raised 2750,000 for investment in new capital equipment. Bob Warner, British Coal's regional administration director for South Wales, says: "In moving 10,000 tonnes of coal a week by road, through valleys with narrow roads lined with houses, we are fully aware of our responsibility to the environment. There are many sub-contractors who can haul coal; however their standards in terms of vehicle presentation, the covering of coal with sheets, driving standards and courtesy on the roads cannot be controlled as easily as a dedicated vehicle fleet."
Under the terms of the contract BRS vehicles are likely to carry around 40% of the 10,000 tonnes of coal moved by road in South Wales each week. Sub-contractors currently take care of the remaining 60%, but James is hopeful that his company can win a greater share of the work as the contract progresses.
Stuart James, BRS Western's Welsh general manager, is responsible for the company's bi,ggest contract to date.