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anger routes
• Cleveland County Council is considering a mandatory routeing scheme on all operators transporting dangerous goods.
A voluntary scheme has been in operation in the county for more than 12 years, backed by local operators, chemical firms, police, and fire brigade.
Local operators are worried about the effects of a mandatory scheme. John Robinson, managing director of Imperial Tankers based in Billingharn. says it would cause problems: All chemical and petroleum operators are worried. Advisory routes do not cover all transport depots or destina
thins, so how would firms collect and deliver goods outside routes? Petrol deliveries would be hit hardest by a mandatory scheme as no advisory route includes every petrol station".
Phil Gate, head of Sadler Transport, echoes Robinson's views: "Roadworks, congestion or road accidents mean oper ators would have to leave the scheme sometimes. As depots are off advisory routes, drivers already have to leave the routes on the voluntary scheme."
John Jones, group traffic engineer for Cleveland County Council, says that if the mandatory scheme is introduced, operators would have to follow "acceptable routes" to depots from the mandatory route scheme, which involves only major roads.
Geoff Dunning, manager of the Road Haulage Association's North Eastern district, has written to the council for more information on its plans. He says it is unclear what vehicles and goods would be affected, and believes the council has no legal power to signpost a mandatory routeing scheme. He wants all RHA members likely to be affected by the scheme to contact him.
Gwent County Council operates similar hazardous loads routes, and another is being considered by Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.
0 The Government has rejected a call by Labour MP Alan Meale to bring in new rules for all road tankers carrying dangerous chemicals to be fitted with extra warning lights.