T HE chairman of the County Magistrates at Newcastle, Staffs, said
Page 34
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
on Monday that the police should give more direction to transport firms about which vehicles could lawfully use M6. He was commenting on the first case of its kind to be brought before the court—that of a 35-yearold driver, Trevor Carter, who was charged with taking a 35-ton crane on to M6. Carter was found guilty and fined £1.
For the prosecution, Mr. Eric Rigby said that the Chief Constable had decided a test case should be brought because of the number of mobile cranes being taken on the motorway, despite warnings that they were prohibited.
Cranes were banned from motorways along with horse-drawn vehicles, invalid carriages, cycles, pedestrian-controlled vehicles and others, added Mr. Rigby.
Carter, of Wheaton Aston, near Cannock. Staffs, pleaded not guilty and said he had no idea that he was committing an offence.
Defending, Mr. David Hafichurch said: "Surely it is more sensible to take such a large vehicle on a motorway than on the normal route along country roads and through congested towns."
US trip overbooked
A "FANTASTIC" response to the RHA's planned American air trip in June has resulted in a 177seat Boeing 707 being filled, and a substantial number of applicants who are still on the list may be accommodated in a second aircraft.