TRTA: NOISE LEVELS O.K.
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BUT NOT THE DATE
THE Traders Road Transport Association has agreed to the MoT's proposed noise regulations following confirmation that the level for existing light vehicles will be set at 88 decibels.
But the Association considers the operative date for the regulations (January 1, 1968) unreasonable. It proposes that the levels for existing vehicles should become effective on November 1, 1969—the date when construction standards for new vehicles should come into operation.
This is because even if the noise regulations are unopposed it will be virtually impossible for them to be approved by Parliament much before the Christmas recess.
Operators would then have less than a week in which to check and modify their vehicles. For, says the TRTA, no operator will wish to commit himself to heavy capital expenditure until the final details are firmly established by Parliament.
Also it is by no means certain that modification components will be readily available. One model is still being produced with a noise leve, when new, that exceeds the 92 decibel limit.
No announcement has been made of the type of noise meter to be used to enforce the regulations. Result: operators do not know what equipment to obtain to check
their fleets.
The MoT admits that it has not made up its mind as to which instrument it will use. The TRTA understands that several types are still being tested at the National Physical Laboratory and the results are not expected until later in the year.
The Association has asked for a specific
SCOTTISH BREWERS GIVE UNION MEN A NEW DEAL
ANEW wage agreement covering 430 men on the transport side of the Scottish brewing industry has been negotiated by representatives on the TGWU, Scottish Commercial Motormen's Union and the Brewers Association of Scotland.
Due to come into operation on September 4, the agreement will be submitted to the Minister of Labour for approval. It guarantees a fall-back wage of £14 lOs to adult male workers to be increased to £15 from May 1 next year. There will also be a shift allowance increase. Absenteeism is to be discouraged.
SCMU spokesman said Scottish brewers were introducing a larger type vehicle of over 18 tons capacity and transport workers would now get an additional 2d an hour for this new classification. exemption under the regulations where a vehicle is using an exhaust brake.
TRTA tests have shown that when this safety device is in operation engine noise is significantly higher than normal.
Yorks Motorway : A 2-1--mile section of the AstonSheffield-Leeds motorway (M1) from Ossett to East Ardsley in the West Riding of Yorkshire will be opened at 11 am August 25. Access will be from the Wakefield Road (A638) interchange at Ossett and from the Bradford Road (A650) interchange at East Ardsley, but it will not yet connect with any other opened length of motorway.