Appleyards of South Yorkshire at the Home Office.
David Appleyard was invited to attend a meeting at the Home Office in January along with eight other representatives of major UK transport companies. The meeting was to discuss problems that transport companies often find with illegal immigrants gaining entry in to the UK by hiding on the back of their vehicles and to discuss the procedures when illegal immigrants are discovered as well as the fines that transportation companies incur.
The reason for inviting the transport companies to the Home Office was so that the nine transport company’s views would represent the overall views of the industry in finding and agreeing on a framework for everyone in the industry to follow.
This is part of the governments scheme to be more open and to include business’ in their decision making.
David was surprised and honoured to have been invited to the meeting, although he was not sure the invite was genuine until the very last minute.
Discussions will carry on throughout the year with the hope that the new strategies and procedures regarding illegal immigrants will be set out by October.
The main areas highlighted in the first meeting will immediately help drivers to detect and even protect against illegal immigrants were the set up of safe, secure and well lit areas to check the trucks , areas to check the roofs of vehicles, gantries and powerful lighting to shine underneath the trucks. One area that may see the first trial run could be the old Hover port at Calais.
The scheme will be divided in to different sections dependant on where the immigrants are found.
The principal challenge for operators is that any issues may count against an operator’s licence. Discussions however are currently ongoing between Border Forces and Traffic Commissioners to set up a practical approach for all parties achieve the desired results.
Britannia Appleyard of South Yorkshire 01709 549718
Removals to and from Europe www.removals-in-rotherham.co.uk