Permits gap almost plugged
Page 17
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE DOOR to Europe and beyond will soon be almost closed to hauliers attempting to leave Britain without international road haulage permits or in possession of false permits. As fronsi February 1 The .Goods Vehicles (International Road Haulage Permits) Regulations 1975 become effective.
Under the Regulations DoE examiners will have power to ask drivers to produce a road haulage permit if they believe that the vehicle is being used on an international journey (CM January 16). The regulations cover journeys starting or passing through the UK— for example, from the Republic of Ireland—and terminating or passing through France, Italy, Austria or West Germany.
Examiners can prohibit veh icles from leaving the UK if they suspect the permits to be false. '
CM began pressing for this type of legislation early last year after the deputy editor had made a trip to Iran. Following the trip, and subsequent interviews with officials of the DoE, regulations were laid before Parliament by the Department.
While the regulations do not go as far as CM had advocated —we suggested permits should be issued at the port of exit against an authorisation from the DoE—they will go a long way to plug the gap.
Since Holland is excluded, however, there could still be a flow of illegal vehicles through Rotterdam. We have been receiving reports of sub-contracted trailers bound for the Middle East and central Europe being left in the trailer park at Rotterdam after the sub-contractor had been paid 75 per cent of the rate for the job before leaving the UK.
In addition to their powers to demand to see permits, the DoE officers can detain vehicles, enter premises to inspect vehicles which might be affected by the regulations, inspect road haulage permits on premises and make copies of documents they find. Anyone taking a vehicle from the UK after it has been prohibited by an examiner, or anyone causing or permitting this to be done, can be fined up to £200.
Anyone who obstructs an examiner in the course of his duty or fails to comply with his request can be fined up to £100.