In defence of canteens
Page 7
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THERE IS to be no general Government clampdown on mobile roadside canteens — though any gaps in the law resulting in unsatisfactory conditions will be examined.
This was the view taken by Under Secretary for Transport John Horam when he answered complaints about roadside canteens in the Commons.
He admitted that some of these canteens could be a cause for concern, but said they were particularly useful to lorry drivers, who would be very bitter about any proposal to outlaw them in general, The complaints had been made by Sir Timothy Kitson (Tory, Richmond, Yorks). He claimed that health officers appeared to be unable to control the required standards of mobile canteens, while if local authorities took enforcement action under planning legislation the canteens would have only to move a few yards up or down a layby to render the whole process completely abortive.
He noted too there were no requirements in regulations for the canteens to provide toilets for food handlers or customers. The conditions of laybys served by mobile canteens were deteriorating into a most unsatisfactory and disgusting state, said Sir Timothy.
He really believed that there would have to be another look at the whole situation.
Unless a way could be found to control and administer mobile canteens from the point of view of hygiene and road safety the confusion in the law would have to be remedied.
The question of danger was important, went on Sir Timothy, for there could be a canteen serving over 100 lorries a day — vehicles which pulled off the road without a deceleration lane.
Mr Horam acknowledged that there was very considerable force in what Sir Timothy had said. But to be fair, there was another side.
Mobile canteens provided a service for the road user — if there was no need for such a service there would be no canteens.
The Minister's attitude towards canteens on trunk roads was that they provided a useful service, and ought to be tolerated, provided that they did not cause danger.
Mr Horam promised that his Department would examine any problems within its field, and would bring others to the attention of the Department concerned.