Intolerable toll booths
Page 29
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AS AN owner-driver I have this funny thing about not getting "done" out of anything if I can help it.
On a recent trip North, via the M6, I decided, like a fool, to come back the pretty way, down the Al, to save the last drag across from the M1 to home.
Outside Newcastle the Al is signposted off left. I followed; mile • after mile, roundabouts, flyovers, circling the built-up area. Coming to a roundabout pointing me to the right 1 travelled round it, to be confronted , by a row of toll booths!
I headed uncertainly for them, only to have a white overalled figure run out of a hut on the left and stop me.
He wanted to know what I was carrying, and another chap went round the vehicle shining his torch (it was late evening).
With no explanation I was then -told to go on the the toll booth where a uniformed female relieved me of 50p for the honour of going through the tunnel.
This brings me to the point of the letter which is: 1, At no time did I see any indication of a toll having to be paid whilst on this diversion.
2, The idea of telling a stranger what you are carrying is not a good one.
3, Is this the route used by the majority of commercial vehicles, or is there another route?
I know which way I'm going next time when on the Al. Straight through the middle!
A. R. GOSS Haulage Contractor Sandy, Bedfordshire