Trailers from docks row
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111L DEPARTMENT of Transport has been accused of making a mistake when it banned a haulier from pulling loaded and unloaded trailers from Dover docks to destinations in Britain because he did not possess an international operator's licence.
Kent MEP Christopher Jackson, who raised the case with the EEC Commission in Brussels, has been told by Transport Commissioner Stanley Clinton Davis that in such cases a national 0licence is sufficient.
According to Jackson, the haulier from his constituency signed a contract with Ferrymasters and lost between 8212,000 and £19,000 since he was ordered to stop the work on the DTp's orders last November.
Complained Jackson, in a written question to Brussels: "Local hauliers are finding it difficult to obtain local work other than that connected with the docks and the continuation of 'international journeys'.
-The situation is so serious that in sonic cases bankruptcy threatens."
The DTp's view that an international licence is required is based on an EEC Commission opinion given to Ireland in 1974.
This states: "The community has always understood international transport to he all transport between the beginning of a journey and the destination."
However, Davis indicated in his reply that the DTp has got the wrong end of the stick.
"The United Kingdom haulier to whom Ferrymasters sub-contracted haulage of goods between two points in the United Kingdom does not, under community regulations, require an international licence." he replied. The operation would he covered solely by UK rules.
He added that the 1974 ruling covered driving hours rest periods and did not refer to the kind of domestic: operation referred to in Mr Jackson's question.