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THE MONEY ISN'T GREAT, BUT IT SUITS ME' Michael has
Page 43
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been driving for more than 30 years in all areas of road transport. A former Continental hand who was abroad for weeks at a time, he now drives a 44-tonne Volvo artic on short-haul aggregate runs around West London.
"I work 7am-4pm and don't do Saturdays although could if I wished," he says. "The money (around £350 a week) isn't great, but it suits me it's a doddle compared tO a lot of jobs.
"They are very hot on health and safety; you have to Wear a reflective jacket and hard hat at all times. You have to take care on site, both of other people and not to damage vulnerable parts of the trucks, such as exposed air bags."
On the plus side, aggregates and sand are fairly easy loadsmore so than either muckaway or asphalt with automatic sheeting and a button-press tailgate release. Most of the depots Michael visits have toilets and tea and coffee-making facilities; these are basic but better than "camping in a lay-by".
The job can be dirty, many sites are wet and uneven underfoot for most of the year and the cab can get filthy if you don't keep on top of the cleaning. "You need a big pair of boots!" he says.
Michael is unimpressed by his peers: "I'm astounded by the low standard of tipper drivers. They race around and won't help each other. perhaps because many come from a construction rather than transport background.
"The owner-drivers are fine though -always working on their motors."