AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Under new proposals, the cost of removing a broken-down truck

6th March 2008, Page 26
6th March 2008
Page 26
Page 27
Page 26, 6th March 2008 — Under new proposals, the cost of removing a broken-down truck
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

could run to E9,000 and the Highways Agency will take on the same powers as the police to remove vehicles.

Words: Emma Page Highways Agency (HA) officials could be given the same powers as police officers to remove abandoned or broken-down vehicles. The plan, for which consultation ended last month, is aimed at clearing obstructions from motorways and A-roads. The proposal for the new legislation aims to: • Provide HA traffic officers (TOs) with similar powers to the police to remove or request to be removed from the strategic road network abandoned and broken-down vehicles causing an obstruction or danger to other road users.

• Provide the Transport Secretary with powers to store and dispose of abandoned vehicles removed by TOs.

• Allow the Transport Secretary to recover charges in respect of vehicles removed, stored or disposed under the regulations.

Derek Turner, the HAs director of traffic operations, says the powers given to TOs would be similar to those already exercised by the police. He adds that when the traffic officer service began in 2004, the intention was that it would expand to incorporate the removal of vehicles in certain prescribed circumstances, freeing up police time. If agreed, the powers will come into force in summer.

"Giving TOs the power to arrange the removal of vehicles which are abandoned or are causing an obstruction or danger to other drivers on the network was always planned," says Turner. "These powers, which would apply at all but the most serious police-led incidents, are an extension of the work they are already doing."

Police constabularies around the country will continue to use their own recovery agents if the vehicle concerned is part of a crime scene or has been involved in an incident causing serious injury or death.

The HA maintains that motoring clubs and other suitable private arrangements will continue to provide the majority of vehicle removals from carriageways and hard shoulders. TOs will call in their own recovery agent only if the vehicle cannot be removed in the required time by its owner's chosen operator.

Malcolm Bingham, head of road network management policy at the Freight Transport Association (FTA), says its members broadly welcome the proposals. which seek to replace the varied policies of around 40 police forces with a national template. He is concerned, however, that there is still scope for conflict in the operator's contractual arrangements. "Hauliers go to great lengths to ensure their chosen recovery operator can attend the vehicles quickly and safely. They will be able to continue using their own service — if it will reach the vehicle within the required time."

HA team leader Jamie Hassall is closely involved in taking forward the new removal-and-disposal powers for TOs. He confirms: "A traffic officer will make a removal under these powers only if the vehicle is causing an obstruction or danger to other persons using the road. However, the Agency will encourage drivers of broken-down or accidentdamaged vehicles to make their own removal arrangements —provided these are timely and appropriate."

Chrys Rampley, infrastructure manager at the Road Haulage Association (RHA), agrees that the HA should work to eliminate any conflict between statutory and contractual recovery arrangements. But she seeks reassurance from the HA that the TOs responsible for removal and recovery will be properly trained. "TOs will have to work very closely with the police in what can be a difficult and dangerous job." she says. "Operators need to know that whoever oversees the recovery of their vehicle can do it safely."

Appropriate training I Iassall insists TOs will receive appropriate training. "The police work closely with the Highway Agency, and traffic officers will be informed if the police have an interest in a vehicle. And a vehicle that appears to have been involved in criminal activity or a serious accident will continue to be dealt with by the police."

Gary Satchwell is chief executive of the Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators (AVRO). He agrees there are safety issues involved with transferring removal-and-recovery powers to the HA. -The police are well versed in the process, but this will be new to TOs who have a remit to reduce congestion as quickly as possible," he says. Satchwell points out it may not be that easy to distinguish a crime scene from a straightforward collision, and TOs risk destroying forensic evidence if they fail to recognise that a crime has taken place. Any doubt will necessitate the police being called anyway, which will lead to crowding and duplication.

Bidding battle Three companies are bidding for a recovery contract with the HA to cover England. The successful operator will subcontract work regionally The current charges for statutory recovery (105 for removal. £12 per day for storage and £50 for disposal) have seen no increase since 1993, and are being reviewed by the Home Office, which proposes a set of fees scaled according to type of vehicle and scenario. For instance, to remove a truck weighing less than 2.5t on which all four wheels remain in contact with the road, the Home Office proposes a fee of £150. For a laden vehicle exceeding 18t. of which no part of the vehicle is on the road but all four wheels are in contact with the ground, it proposes a fee of £2,700. A large LGV could cost as much as £9,000 to recover Storage fees will range from £15 to £75 per day, depending on the size of vehicle, and disposal from £50 to £150.

Too simplistic AVRO believes the table of fees is too simplistic, "An operator could end up paying more than £8,000 for a straightforward job that actually costs £4,000," says Satchwell. -On the other hand, a complicated recovery that fits into the same scenario may need cranes or air bags — even divers, if it is submerged." The menu-style pricing proposal would take into account the man-hours and specialist equipment used, and the removal of vehicles over 44t would be omitted from the table altogether, as the cost of recovering vehicles of this size is impossible to estimate.

The FTNs Malcolm Bingham agrees the proposed scenarios are too broad, but the RHA's Rampley welcomes in principle the transparency of the new fee structure. "Insurers won't be able to hide behind the statutory£105 fee as they have in the past," she explains. -But operators must ensure the increased charge will be recoverable from their insurers." The Home Office will announce a new fee structure before summer. •


comments powered by Disqus