Haulier turns on banks Free van bait
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for franchises
• An owner-driver who has had his truck and home repossessed is calling on operators to team up and lobby the banks to be more positive about lending.
Alf Buckman, who traded as AC Buckman Transport before he went out of business, claims that he lost his truck and house through no fault of his own. He is now unable to get a driving job and cannot take on contracts because banks and finance houses will not let him borrow to replace his truck.
"We need the Government to force the banks to be more positive," he says. "I've been offered work if I can get a vehicle back on the road with lower monthly payments. We've got to have a real argy-bargy with the Government. If we could get together we could have a big enough voice — in Belgium and France they stick together and get things done."
West Sussex-based Buckman adds: "I don't think losing my truck and house was my doing. The Government wanted to fight inflation and there was no way companies could survive ... I couldn't find work with reputable companies and it was the same for many of my colleagues; they've had their trucks repossessed as well." Buckman failed to pay the leasing charges on his vehicle and was unable to cover all his mortgage. He says one company he worked for went into liquidation and several others did not pay him fully.
Hauliers interested in joining Buckman in his campaign can contact him on (0304) 823370.