Frontiers: Irish tale
Page 7
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THE PROBLEM of EEC border delays has been set in another perspective by an Ulster lorry driver who has illustrated the daily problems of operators crossing the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.
In an article in the latest issue of Highway, the Transport and General Workers Union lorry drivers' newspaper, Belfast driver Billy Bittles has called for simplified border procedures and better facilities for drivers.
He said a simple cross-border journey from Dundalk in the Republic to Newry on the border — a distance of around 12 miles — can take anything from two hours to a full day to complete.
"A journey from the south crossing Dundalk and Newry starts its customs ritual at Dundalk, where a customs agent prepares all paperwork for the load for Southern Customs.
"The driver proceeds to first step at Carrickcarnon and present his customs entry. Depending on the number of vehicles crossing at the time, the driver may have to park a quarter of a mile away. There are no facilities for parking or toilets, nothing to make delays bearable or speed up the process.
"In all kinds of weather, drivers trudge up and down clutching bundles of paperwork which must be stamped by customs," he added.
Once through Republic cus toms, the drivers' ordeal is far from over. "First problem is to get parked, then in all weathers drivers have to trudge up and down Newry Hill to customs a quarter to half a mile away from the vehicle."
The Northern Irish customs post closes at 5pm. "Imagine a country closing at 5pm," Mr Bittles said, and pointed out that anyone wanting to cross between 5pm and 8am must pay extra for the privilege.
A load passed by Republic customs, but unable to get through Northern Irish customs before they close must be left at Newry overnight. "In the case of an artic, it means leaving the trailer and going back to the depot with the unit, returning the next day. If on a rigid, the driver is forced to thumb a lift or try for a bus, all adding cost of extra fuel, man hours and more downtime for the vehicle."
Calling for a review of border procedures, Mr Bittles said: "No one would have the temerity to suggest an entire production line must stop in order to complete paperwork.
"Why then should haulage have to suffer an antiquated system that is bleeding the industry and wasting time and money. We are urged by Government to cut costs, increase productivity and yet a Government department is doing the opposite." He suggested that an advanced clearing system could save time and money, and that both customs posts could be brought closer together to make life easier for drivers.
Mr Bittles' article has appeared as pressure is building up for relief of EEC border crossings. Last month, Staffordshire East MEP Robert Moreland travelled across Europe by lorry to experience delays at first hand _(CM, August 13).