NEW ROUND IN TANK ROW
Page 11
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Miles Brignall • Customs & Excise is investigating the case of a British owner-driver fined for carrying a supplementary diesel tank in France. Steve Todd, head of revenue duties at Customs & Excise, says he may take up Cumbria-based Ron Richardson's case when he sees the details. Todd could ask or the fine to be returned. When he attends a meeting of the European Union's Excise Committee at the end of this month Todd will attempt to clarify what type and size of tanks will be allowed on the Continent.
Richardson was fined FF6,138 (£700) for carrying diesel in a catwalk tank after a spot check by French customs officers at a service area in Bidart, south-west France.
Richardson, who was an his way back from Spain, says officials woke him at 07:00hrs and forced him to drive half an hour to the nearest town, Ciboure.
He was fined FF5,000 (£570) for having the extra tank and had to pay FF1,138 (£130) in legal costs and excise duty on the diesel. Richardson was then directed to a local garage where the tank was emptied and re-filled with water. Curries European Transport of Dumfries, who he was working for at the time, organised the payment of the fine and will deduct it from his next payment. Richardson now plans to have the supplementary tank taken off: he will fit a larger main tank.
Two drivers working for Sittingbourne-based RJ Matthew Transport were fined £140 each in Ostend, Belgium on 28 February for running with catwalk tanks. Richardson: Fined for tank.