Centre approved but no night moves
Page 21
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Impel Distribution has won authority to base seven vehicles and 13 trailers at Rhymney, Mid Glam, despite concern by local residents about heavy vehicles using their narrow streets. However, South Wales Deputy Traffic Commissioner Alan Bcuriet has banned vehicle movements at night.
The company was also granted authority to base another eight vehicles and 15 trailers at Ebbw Vale without any environmental conditions being imposed.
Managing director Clive Bradley said the company, which had been operating under interim authority, had a strict safety regime, including the use of flowcharts and a nil-defect reporting system. It also had all its tachograph charts analysed by the Road Haulage Association. Only one prohibition notice had been issued—for a defective horn, discovered the day after a leased vehicle had beer delivered.
The company was introducing a smart card system, said Bradley. This would allow the vehicles to be tracked throughout the UK and the Continent so any infringements of the drivers' hours rules would be picked up as they occurred, Traffic examiner Sian Thomas confirmed that the Rhymney site was a suitable operating centre.
Expressing concern about artics negotiating a 90° bend, she said that during the day the street effectively became a one-way street with cars parked on both sides of the road.
Imposing a ban on movements outside 06;0022;00hrs on weekdays and 06:00-16:00hrs at weekends, the Deputy Commissioner said it was understandable the residents had strong feelings about the situation, but the actual site did not impinge on their environment—the issue was one of access.
He had sympathy with the residents but an operating centre with conditions was better than no control at all.