Red tape threatens to scupper East Coast Truckers kids’ seaside treat
Page 9
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE FUTURE OF A charity that sends handicapped and disadvantaged children to the coast in a convoy of lorries is under threat because it claims the police won’t take responsibility for any accidents.
East Coast Truckers (ECT) has safely transported dozens of children to a theme park near Lowestoft and then on to the seaside each August Bank Holiday Sunday for 25 years. East Anglian haulage companies donate up to 100 HGVs for the event, which also attracts most of the charity’s funding.
But changes in legislation mean putting in place road closures on the A47 and A12, which are creating problems for the police and Highways Agency. ECT chairman and convoy director Rob Billman says he has secured agreement for the event to take place this year, but there is a question mark over its future. “The charity will not survive without the funding,” he warns. “The only way it can continue is if the police roll over and say ‘yes we will do it’.” Norfolk police’s assistant chief constable Kevin Wilkins says: “The constabulary has worked incredibly hard with the organisers to discuss safe and alternative ways of organising this event. Overall event safety is the responsibility of the organisers but we, together with other agencies, will continue to work to ensure safety remains the priority for this and future events.”