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Wheel problem strikes again
Page 6
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SCOTLAND'S troubled fleetof 25cwt Bedford CF280 ambulances was taken back off the road last week after a recurrence of the past summer's wheel-shedding incidents.
Two vehicles, both of which had been modified with Loctite and lengths of wire to strengthen their wheelnuts, shed their wheels last week and Scottish Ambulance Service management agreed to withdraw the entire fleet after consultation with union officials.
SAS controller Derek Buck ley told CM this week that his officials wanted to check the vehicles involved in case the modifications rather than the vehicles themselves were at fault.
He added that larger 35cwt CF340s with twin rear wheels did not share the lighter vehicles' problems and said that in future the only CFs bought would be of this type.
Confidence in the 35cwt CFs was also expressed by Transport and General Workers Union Glasgow district officer Bill Campbell who criticised the fitment of Loctite and wire to the smaller CFs.
"If it wasn't so serious, it would be laughable," he told CM.
Mr Campbell added that the union was not in dispute with the SAS, but that it was concerned for the safety of the public and ambulance crews.
Meanwhile, at least 20 English ambulances are being brought to Glasgow and Edinburgh to eke out a service which has been reduced again to one of only accident and emergency runs.
A Vauxhall spokesman told CM that the company was still very concerned by the matter and that it was investigating the problem.