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"A BREAKTHROUGH in di tribution methods for ti own-account operator" that's the reaction of transpo manager David Pick who h been trying a double trailer f Whitworth Holdings Ltd.
Whitworths became inte ested in the operation after ti exclusive CM trials with Re4 Transport.
Following the recent D partment of Transport runt that doubles outfits may I used on British roads, subje to a special licence heir obtained and the observam of an 80 km/h (50 mph) spe( limit, Whitworths have ju completed a two-week trial the vehicle.
Between June 20-30, thE made 10 runs carrying dril fruit and cereals from thE Wellingborough factory their Risley, Warrington, di tribution depot.
The Whitworth operation one of maximum bulk rath than maximum weight wii the gvw averaging arour 29/30 tons.
Using an 8LXB Gardn, engined ERF fitted with ti obligatory anti-lock system • in this case a Girling Ski Chek matched to a Dunk Maxaret system on the traile — the outfit made the rt along the MI, M6 and MI motorways.
At Risley, the combinatic was split into two 7m (23f
railers each coupled to i00-engined Bedford TMs for lelivery to stores throughout ,ancashire.
"The trials have been extrenely successful," comments dr Pick. "Indeed, we feel hat the doubles system is a weakthrough in distribution nethods for the own-account )perator.
"Should full Department of Cransport approval be given or their unrestricted use, I would envisage using a doudes combination, built to our iwn specification with Cautliner bodies, for overnight rucking to city outskirts.
"This would mean we could )y-pass some warehousing by iandling many of our multi)1e-store deliveries direct from iur main factories."
As with the most recent CM est, carried out with Reed Cransport, the maximum ,peed of the outfit was res tricted to 80km /h (50mph) which meant a four-hour journey time.
Although Mr Pick thought this satisfactory, he would be "even happier" with the speed limit raised to the standard 971uri/h (60mph).
Whitworths are in the process of costing the whole exercise on the basis of this test for future evaluation. One point that was raised concerned the weight of the trailers — Whitworths would definitely go for lightweight, possibly aluminium units for the future.
What happens in the future rather depends on what sort of licence the DTp issues. As Mr Pick said, he is not interested in going from month to month.
Whitworths would want a long term licence issued for them to operate, over an agreed route on a night operation,