State companies alter conditions of carriage
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• On Wednesday the British Railways Board introduced new conditions of carriage. Freightliners Ltd., National Carriers Ltd. and the 30-odd haulage companies in the National Freight Corporation will introduce similar conditions on November 1. Copies of the conditions are available from all of the constituent companies.
One important feature in the new conditions requires the sender to endorse the consignment note if he does not want his traffic to be subcontracted. Similarly, where the sender wishes to determine the means of transport to be employed he must state so specifically on the consignment note. The conditions set levels of liability for goods in transit at £800 per ton or £10 per package. The Freight Transport Association has expressed doubt that these levels are realistic and has advised its members that they should ensure that they have adequate coverage for goods in transit, if necessary through their own insurers.
The difficulties of proving that goods have been lost or damaged due to wilful misconduct of the carrier or his employee have been taken up by the FTA It has asked BRE1 and NFC to afford the sender every facility in obtaining information to form a claim. Traders have, however, been warned that when claims arise they should be made expeditiously although there are indications that the carriers will not hold the traders to the set limits if it can be shown that claims could not be made within the required times.
A new term appears in the conditions-suspension of transit". The Railways Board explains that this is intended to cover those consignments which are delayed for reasons not connected with transport. In such cases the carriers' responsibilities will be waived and they will take on the responsibilities of warehousemen