ferry trucks
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"Any tyres recovered from the Herald should be sent to us for examination. This is a free service and they need the manufacturer's level of inspection," says a spokesman, who confirms that the truck's original tyres were not inspected by Michelin.
The DTp says that any lorry that is rebuilt after an accident must comply with Vehicle Inspectorate construction and use regulations before going back on the road.
Any lorries recovered from the ferry and now operating again must have passed the test, it says. The DTp will not comment on any specific case, but does say: "Our concern is that they should comply and have a value certificate."
A mystery still surrounds the fate of up to 25 other lorries recovered from the Herald and sold. Geoffrey Fletcher, of international law agent Langlois in Antwerp, says his firm was appointed by the Belgians to ensure that all the wrecks were returned to their owners or insurers.
He refuses to say who bought the 30 lorries recovered from the ship, but maintains: "As a layman many seemed in good condition."
Palmer disputes that anywhere near 30 lorries from the Herald could be back on the road, but says that a lot of the vehicles "went for good money". He insists, however, that the furore over the Herald "tomb trucks" means that he will not buy and rebuild any more. "I certainly wouldn't do it again," he says.
The Freight Transport Association says it will not comment until it knows the full story: "We would want to know a little more about the history of these lorries but we would comply with Michelin's warnings. Obviously there is an emotional side to this, but the DTp test is fairly stringent no matter what their history. They must have passed this test to be on the road."
The Road Haulage Association agrees: "We sympathise with the feelings of people who lost members of their family, but the association has no control over vehicles on the road. It is for the DTp to ensure that they are in a roadworthy condition, and the tests involved are very thorough."
lJ P&O is to receive a £13 million insurance payout for the Herald of Free EnkrPrise ferry — although the ship is believed to have been insured for a total of £20 million.