pecjam23:
It wasn’t a sticking up for you post
Me thinks you protest too much.
The Highway Man:
pecjam23:
It wasn’t a sticking up for you postMe thinks you protest too much.
I’ve got my coat and hat on, i’ll just watch this topic from the coffee shop over the road 
The Highway Man:
Lycanthrope:
Highwayman has a new boat and spends his time working with the coastguard to protect broken down shipsLet’s face it, I’m a scouser, I’m more likely to be pirating and looting broken down ships
Have you got any BMW bikes or steering wheels left 
or any stuff from the Riverdance
Good Job helpfull for some people, after all we ALL must know someone who could not change a wheel…I can think of several people some of which I would gladly laugh at and some I would stop and help. Also how does a Jag driver have to have loads of money?? Their Jag could be 10+ years old correct me if I am wrong
welshphil:
“HATO’s arnt a breakdown service in that respect. they just make sure that the people who have stopped on the motorway are safe etc, keep them out of harm’s way”
In a minibus on the M6,by the Truckhaven junction ,with disabled passengers,unable to get out of bus.We had a blowout and limped to the hard shoulder,southbound.Rang the AA who organised tyre repair etc.After 1hour 40minutes,repeat 100minutes, Highways Agency vehicle turned up in front of us to guard rear.Had to carry on to next junction to turn round and get behind us.Their control had sent them to the M55!!!
The AA eventually turned up,changed the rear flat for the front good wheel then towed us off to Truckhaven where ATS was waiting.Not allowed to leave us with wheel removed while they took it for repair ,H&S.
H&S,don’t make me laugh,what about leaving us with no rear cover for all that time.It turned out to be some sort of peeing competition between the agencies"Not my job,send for someone else"
It was a sunny clear day,God knows what might have happened while we were parked up if it had been dark,rainy,misty.
Who knows. You called AA on a mobile phone? So AA then had to pass the information to HA. Sounds like they got the location wrong. Then, contrary to popular opinion, we don’t have unlimited luxury 4x4s, parked up pretending to be Police, waiting to deal with hard shoulder breakdowns. The patrol in that area might have been dealing with something more urgent? I don’t know that patrol route, but I do know of one that can take an hour to get round, even if you don’t stop with anything.
Next time it happens, use the orange emergency phone (if it’s working 
) and speak to HA directly.
The driver did this immediately after phoning AA,maybe 10 minutes after,the time he took to walk to the phone.The AA contacted HA as we rang them,they rang back and confirmed.When they finally arrived they said they had been sent to wrong motorway by THEIR control,and they had been busy.Repeat,minibus full of disabled on M6 hard shoulder,authorities notified,wait 100 minutes for isolation vehicle.If you think this is acceptable well,there you are!!
welshphil:
The driver did this immediately after phoning AA,maybe 10 minutes after,the time he took to walk to the phone.The AA contacted HA as we rang them,they rang back and confirmed.When they finally arrived they said they had been sent to wrong motorway by THEIR control,and they had been busy.Repeat,minibus full of disabled on M6 hard shoulder,authorities notified,wait 100 minutes for isolation vehicle.If you think this is acceptable well,there you are!!
So, someone had made a mistake. It happens. I might have been tempted to call back after x minutes to ask if a HATO was coming if I thought the protection was that important?
Anyway - best to call the HAIL line 08457 504030 and complain, rather than complaining here?
The Highway Man:
pete904ni:
The Highway Man:
customerscustomers … ?
I know! Corporate speak!
Maybe clients or victims might be more appropriate as customers implies a fee paid for the service sought/rendered.
welshphil:
‘…H&S,don’t make me laugh,what about leaving us with no rear cover for all that time [?]…’
Legislation to place a red triangle 100 Yards (sod ‘meters’) to your rear on the hard shoulder might help: It’s the law in Europe, but like lots of their reasonable ideas our European Union Transport minister is probably too busy on a wine sipping junket to also make it a legal requirement to carry & use a red, reflective triangle in UK.
I know it’s a legal requirement to carry a warning triangle on the continent, I still have mine from serving in the forces in Germany. Apparently, speaking with a police officer, the triangles are not to be used on the motorway in case they get sucked out into the main carriageway by passing wagons. Don’t get me wrong, the speed limit on the autobahn is a lot faster than on our motorways and they use them, so what’s the problem?
The Highway Man:
Apparently, speaking with a police officer, the triangles are not to be used on the motorway in case they get sucked out into the main carriageway by passing wagons.
Highway Code 274. “…never use them on motorways…”
NW_HATO:
Highway Code 274. “…never use them on motorways…”
I see where the police officer was coming from now
Breakdowns
274
If your vehicle breaks down, think first of all other road users and
get your vehicle off the road if possible
warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights if your vehicle is causing an obstruction
help other road users see you by wearing light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility
put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. Always take great care when placing or retrieving them, but never use them on motorways
if possible, keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor
do not stand (or let anybody else stand) between your vehicle and oncoming traffic
at night or in poor visibility do not stand where you will prevent other road users seeing your lights