Three breakdown trucks cost 1100 for three miles
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• by Charles Young A driver has had to pay £700 for the recovery of his broken-down 32-tonne truck which was towed just three miles down the road.
Barry Howard, a driver for Manchesterbased Stretford Haulage, says he couldn't believe how much he was charged for what seemed to be such a smalljob.
His truck broke down on the AS last week just outside Buxton in Derbyshire, and was removed by recovery operator Mansfield Group's Buxton office following a request from the police as it was blocking traffic.
Howard says Mansfield charged him for initially sending two trucks out on the recovery and then realising they were not up to the job.
However, the Mansfield Group's chief executive Darrell Mansfield defends the charges and says he's tired of people knocking the recovery business without appreciating what is invoked.
He confirms that three vehicles were sent to the scene but Says that was what the job required. "We had £200,000-worth of equipment on that job and the vehicles are on permanent Standby as we have a contract with the police," says Mansfield. The company used to be called Lamb &Mansfield.
"I believe 295 per hour is totally justifiable. The mileage is irrelevant as it's all done on time," he adds.
The total bill came to £592.50 (ex-VAT) which includes a £50 call-out charge for two trucks for two hours each at £95 per hour. There was also a £30 charge for a vehicle support unit and an hourly rate Of £,55 for that vehicle.