Weighty fines for refuse loads
Page 10
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Seven overloaded refuse trucks cost Coventry City Council £6,000 last week after six of its drivers were accused of breaking the law in an attempt to get home early.
Each of the drivers received a conditional discharge for 12 months and was ordered to pay £40 costs after admitting a total of 25 charges between them of overloading their vehicles.
Helen Bradin, prosecuting for the Vehicle Inspectorate, told Solihull magistrates that exceeding the 26-tonne weight limit helped cut the number of unloading trips to the Barrs Street tip and so shortened the drivers' working hours.
Bradln said the offences came to light when weighbridge tickets at the Barra Street site were checked by the VI earlier this year. The vehicles had been overloaded by an average of 6%, enabling the drivers to cut unloading trips and help them get home early, she added.
Mark Smith, representing the council, said the council prided itself on its high standard of service and was embarrassed by the charges. He said five new vehicles and two older trucks had been used; some were fitted with an electronic sensor designed to warn drivers when the vehicles were overloaded. Unfortunately, the sensors had not been working properly.
Other trucks had a metal detection plate which should have kept the drivers notified about the weight.
Sarah Hunt, representing the drivers, said that one driver had complained about a defective sensor, which kept flashing, but was simply told
by the council to cope with the situation "as best he could".
She said: "The overweight warning devices had not been calibrated and most of the drivers had to assess the weight of the vehicles."
Apart from the £6,000 fine, Coventry Council was ordered to pay £916 costs after admitting 25 charges of overloading its refuse trucks.