Bird's eye view

20th September 1968, Page 116

20th September 1968

Page 116

Page 116, 20th September 1968 — Bird's eye view

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by the Hawk * Back in harness

I know many people will be glad to hear that J. C. Martindale of Tate and Lyle Transport Ltd., who has been such a consistent qualifier for the LDoY finals, is back to work. It will be remembered that he suffered a bad heart attack immediately after completing the tests at the Liverpool eliminating contest last May. I understand he is undertaking driving instructing duties as his company hopes that all drivers and assistants will pass the h.g.v. test when it is introduced. It will, however, be a few months before Mr. Martindale is on the road again full time.

*Chic chique

Old coaches never die? Seems not, but they do end up in some rum places. Harrington Motors of Hove have just had an interesting missive from Afghanistan, which I pass on to you as received: "We beg to state that we have purchased a service Motor from art English tourist in Kabul. Regretfully this Motor is laying in the grrge unactive, because some parts of it is un-correct and un-right, as Grary Gear Box, Set glass, Piston and etc.

"In the step place of it has been printed: Thomas Harrington Limited Motor Coch Builders Geamsuehicles Brighton, Harrington Coachwork Sackuille Old shoreham road Houe Sussex, England.

"We are requesting to send us its catalogue, Price List, so that we should be able to place an order for its spare parts, the payment will be paid by sending a chique in your favour."

And before you chuckle, pause to consider whether you could do as well in Pushtu or Turki or Persian, which they use in old Kabul.

*Trailwagger?

Why, you may ask, has M. and G. Trailers' new Golden-series semi-trailer got a yellow fluorescent plaque, featuring a dog, on its rear panel? No sooner asked than answered by this fount of all knowledge.

Managing director G. E. Wooldridge worked for Mack Trucks in the USA for a time, and Mack has a chrome bulldog on the radiator. He also has close ties with the Dorsey trailer organization in the States, which markets a Golden-series van; and, most relevant of all, he has a golden retriever named Trudie. Golden—dog—trailer: put them all together and you have the basis of the plaque, which in fact dipicts Trudie herself Right?

* Vice versa

In 1967 Reg Tooze, a Bedford artic driver, became LDoY champion driving Fords in the final run-off. In 1968 Sam Gray, a Ford artic driver, became LDoY driving Bedfords in the run-off. Next year . . .?

*The third lane

The recently concluded BRS productivity deal is running into squally weather, I hear. Guide lines calling for 28 mph average on normal roads and 38 mph on motorways are being interpreted too rigidly by local managers, I'm told.

Jackson Moore, general secretary of United Road Transport Union, says it is impossible to average 38 mph on motorways, with a 40 mph maximum—all that the agreement requires. The reason: third-lane overtaking is forbidden by law.

Few lorry drivers restrict speed to a dead 40 mph on motorways. The URTU case, presumably, rests on the basis: "You pay for 40 mph; you get it, no more and no less".

*What next?

Betting shops in lorry drivers' cafes! Heaven has not forbidden this innovation. One cafe well patronized by Great North Road lorry drivers has a large betting shop on the premises. No doubt the amenity is appreciated by some patrons but if the idea spreads, as I fear it may, road haulage productivity may suffer. Will employers—or the Government—have to pay Danegeld to compensate a section of drivers for the removal of this dubious amenity?