Hold ups in Calais for lorries!

[MyrtleGuru]

It is.

Mick

Yes, the test is for explosives (so nitrates and glycerin).

The last time I fell foul of this was when flying from London to Dublin, when I forgot to present the laptop separately and left it in the hand baggage. So I then had to have everything swab-tested.

I thought it was a little ironic testing for explosives when travelling from the UK to Ireland. I guess that point might have been lost on the millennials who were doing the testing.

 

[MyrtleGuru]

Yes, the test is for explosives (so nitrates and glycerin).

The last time I fell foul of this was when flying from London to Dublin, when I forgot to present the laptop separately and left it in the hand baggage. So I then had to have everything swab-tested.

I thought it was a little ironic testing for explosives when travelling from the UK to Ireland. I guess that point might have been lost on the millennials who were doing the testing.

And, if anyone wants to know what they are likely to be testing for (if you do want to know, I would be worried, but you will already know in any case!):
RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)
PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate)
TNT (Tri Nitro Toluene)
Semtex (RDX/PETN)
Tetryl (2,4,6-Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine)
NG (Nitroglycerine)
HMX (octogen/cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine/tetrahexamine tetranitramine/octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine)
ANFO (ammonium nitrate)
Nitrates

 

[PeteH]

isgusted with the state of the roads in the UK, it's like driving in a third world country after 6 months in Portugal. 5 hours delay on the M1 alone pathetic.

We found that as well, But as the quality of "continental" roads got better those in the UK got worse. So it was obvious where the (cough) "Funding" was coming from.

Rubbish is rubbish wherever it blows and it's put there by the British. Uncouth lot. Readers of this forum excepted, of course.

What I call the "Great British unwashed". Those who`s upbringing did not include hygiene (never wash hands after toilet use). Personal pride, and concern for the environment at the lowest (personal) level (Littering). Etc:

I don't understand how they re allowed to park for the night on the hard shoulder on the exit to the services. Try stopping a UK truck on the hard shoulder, it won't be long before Vosa are there!

VOSA, generally ignore them, Part of the reason being large numbers cannot be traced, once ticketed, and would be too costly anyway and the confiscation of their vehicle until any (hopefully huge) fines are paid is against their "uman rites" or something.

And, if anyone wants to know what they are likely to be testing for (if you do want to know, I would be worried, but you will already know in any case!):
RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)
PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate)
TNT (Tri Nitro Toluene)
Semtex (RDX/PETN)
Tetryl (2,4,6-Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine)
NG (Nitroglycerine)
HMX (octogen/cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine/tetrahexamine tetranitramine/octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine)
ANFO (ammonium nitrate)
Nitrates

Cheers, thanks for that. Now, where is my junior chemistry set I got for xmas in 1955, I`m sure it`s around here somewhere???.

On a serious note thought, I have a pair of old shoes, which some years ago I had in a suitcase going through Kennedy en route for Vegas. The "sniffer" dog had apparently got quite interested so we where duly summoned and asked to open said case. The operative had 2 or 3 go`s at swabbing stuff, got really interested in the sole material on the shoes, and eventually did give us clearance. Hark back to the 1950`s, A ship caught fire in Bahrain, and as was the case back then steam was injected into the hold to smother, after about an hour an explosion originating in No1 hold (the seat of the fire), ripped the deck out and killed several crewmembers. The investigation put the blame on a material listed a "toepuff". Which was found to contain a sufficient amount of a chemical found in the manufacture of TNT. It was decided that the combination of steam and heat had caused it to sweat the resulting unstable material being something akin to Nitro Glycerine!. "toepuff" was apparently used in the manufacture of? SHOE SOLES!!.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

And, if anyone wants to know what they are likely to be testing for (if you do want to know, I would be worried, but you will already know in any case!):
RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)
PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate)
TNT (Tri Nitro Toluene)
Semtex (RDX/PETN)
Tetryl (2,4,6-Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine)
NG (Nitroglycerine)
HMX (octogen/cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine/tetrahexamine tetranitramine/octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine)
ANFO (ammonium nitrate)
Nitrates

I’m ok for all of them test as long as they don’t start testing for Jammie Dodgers as I must be the biggest smuggled of them in the country, never leave the country without at least 4 packs for my travels

 

[Barclaybasher]

I suspect that most rubbish at the side of roads (apart from laybys) doesn't originate from vehicles - The UK is a very crowded place compared with rural France and Spain.

The rubbish, especially plastic waste is blown about - the reason we see so much of it is that it is so difficult and expensive to clean the roadside - we close lanes to do this the French and Spanish just use a 'rolling roadblock' (usually a single service truck with orange flashing lights).

Our laybys are a disgrace and there is little excuse for not cleaning them or emptying the litter bins.

I stopped at one picnic area this year in Spain, no litter - there were multiple litter bins about 30 feet apart

.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[denisejoe]

I would

I suspect that most rubbish at the side of roads (apart from laybys) doesn't originate from vehicles - The UK is a very crowded place compared with rural France and Spain.

The rubbish, especially plastic waste is blown about - the reason we see so much of it is that it is so difficult and expensive to clean the roadside - we close lanes to do this the French and Spanish just use a 'rolling roadblock' (usually a single service truck with orange flashing lights).

Our laybys are a disgrace and there is little excuse for not cleaning them or emptying the litter bins.

I stopped at one picnic area this year in Spain, no litter - there were multiple litter bins about 30 feet apart

.

I wouldn’t like to clean some of the lay-bys have you looked past the first couple of feet bottles of “orangey liquid “ and bits of loo paper I won’t say what else they need clearing with a JCB and who puts it there the foreign lorry drivers

 

[Barclaybasher]

I wouldI wouldn’t like to clean some of the lay-bys have you looked past the first couple of feet bottles of “orangey liquid “ and bits of loo paper I won’t say what else they need clearing with a JCB and who puts it there the foreign lorry drivers

Give truck drivers proper facilities (like in Europe) and there wouldn't be a problem with laybys

 

[Abacist]

Abroad they have to provide sufficient parking adjacent to roads for the lorries to park up at weekends when they are not on the roads. Accordingly they do have far more facilities for lorries on a day to day basis and far better reasonably priced food stops and of course loos and washing facilities.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Abroad they have to provide sufficient parking adjacent to roads for the lorries to park up at weekends when they are not on the roads. Accordingly they do have far more facilities for lorries on a day to day basis and far better reasonably priced food stops and of course loos and washing facilities.

There are few HGVs on the road here at weekends (nowhere open to load/unload) but nowhere to park up.

So much more traffic on our roads now but I can't remember seeing a new layby being created except on a new road - seen plenty closed though

 

[Ivory55]

Bins in lay bys need to be emptied, again money who is going to pay for the service. Local council have cut other service due to lack of money.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Abacist]

Am I also right in thinking that our lorry car parks at Motorway service stations are time limited just as they usually are for cars etc? I am not sure how this affects them taking the necessary rest breaks etc and not just breaks but for nights sleep if they are on long haul trips. Probably not a problem abroad as they are not so strapped for land like we are and land is cheaper over there. To what extent are the government responsible through Highways for the high rents charged to service stations who then have to charge exorbitant fuel prices?

Perhaps tolls are a fairer way especially with the volume of foreign and Irish freight using our roads.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Probably not a problem abroad as they are not so strapped for land like we are and land is cheaper over there.

We aren't strapped for land, much of what would be needed is farmland - but as soon as farmland is sold for something else the price jumps.

Truck stops should be treated as a necessity and land should be compulsory purchased at market value ..................

 

[2657]

Am I also right in thinking that our lorry car parks at Motorway service stations are time limited just as they usually are for cars etc? I am not sure how this affects them taking the necessary rest breaks etc and not just breaks but for nights sleep if they are on long haul trips. Probably not a problem abroad as they are not so strapped for land like we are and land is cheaper over there. To what extent are the government responsible through Highways for the high rents charged to service stations who then have to charge exorbitant fuel prices?

Perhaps tolls are a fairer way especially with the volume of foreign and Irish freight using our roads.

Motorway services cost around £25/30 a night for trucks.

Foreign trucks over a certain weight, think it is 11 tonnes, already pay a road user charge on entry into the UK.

 

[Ivory55]

We aren't strapped for land, much of what would be needed is farmland - but as soon as farmland is sold for something else the price jumps.

Truck stops should be treated as a necessity and land should be compulsory purchased at market value ..................

Great idea unless you own the farm.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Motorway services cost around £25/30 a night for trucks.

Some on here would complain at those charges for a campsite...........

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Barclaybasher]

Great idea unless you own the farm.

Farms are the reason we don't have straight roads !

 

[GPW]

Farms are the reason we don't have straight roads !

And food

 

[gus-lopez]

Bins in lay bys need to be emptied, again money who is going to pay for the service. Local council have cut other service due to lack of money.

Same as in France the road workers who occasionally maintain the verges. The local councils only have a 'lack of money ' due to it being used for things that most tax payers don't use /have no use for /do not want.

 

[Pekepal]

Give truck drivers proper facilities (like in Europe) and there wouldn't be a problem with laybys

Doesn’t excuse them - you and I would not resort to this behaviour. They even use people’s front gardens to relieve themselves around here! Just purely disgusting and if caught should be banned from driving in uk!! Not just lorry drivers you see numerous foreign cars stopped on verges whilst drivers or passengers relieve themselves without even bothering to find a bush. Not all sweetness and light down here.

 

[2657]

Not just lorry drivers you see numerous foreign cars stopped on verges whilst drivers or passengers relieve themselves without even bothering to find a bush.

Have you never been to France

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GPW]

Doesn’t excuse them - you and I would not resort to this behaviour. They even use people’s front gardens to relieve themselves around here! Just purely disgusting and if caught should be banned from driving in uk!! Not just lorry drivers you see numerous foreign cars stopped on verges whilst drivers or passengers relieve themselves without even bothering to find a bush. Not all sweetness and light down here.

Even if we don't excuse them, legislating against basic human needs doesn't always work very well.
I thought the entire point of setting up and funding councils was so that they could solve issues like this - perhaps you should apply to become a councillor as the ones you have a clearly useless.

 

[Pekepal]

Have you never been to France

Spend 3 months a year there but of course we help them provide plenty of aires to stop at mostly beautifully provided with facilities which due to lack of funds we are unable to provide.

 

[Pekepal]

Even if we don't excuse them, legislating against basic human needs doesn't always work very well.
I thought the entire point of setting up and funding councils was so that they could solve issues like this - perhaps you should apply to become a councillor as the ones you have a clearly useless.

Agree, but as most of Europe and UK travel up the A2 or M20 when they arrive here why should Kent foot the bill!

 

[Ivory55]

They seem to rely on volunteers now to organise litter picking days on the verges or beaches. We are a low pay economy now so just raising taxes for your favourite crusade just wont work. People have not got the money

 

[2657]

Spend 3 months a year there but of course we help them provide plenty of aires to stop at mostly beautifully provided with facilities which due to lack of funds we are unable to provide.

Of course all the lay byes are pristine, no toilet paper, men peeing willy nilly (sorry) without a care in the world and there is nothing to compare with the smell of a French lay bye in the heat of the summer.

Not saying I like it in any country but in France particularly it seems to be a national pastime.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GPW]

Agree, but as most of Europe and UK travel up the A2 or M20 when they arrive here why should Kent foot the bill!

Then your council needs to lobby government for funds or to charge a small fee for the use and upkeep of the new aires it could build. €10 per night for a decent facility would do it, should be a nice little earner and provide local employment. They could even open a cafe and mini-mart.

The solution of 'it's bad but there's nothing we can do' doesn't seem to have worked so far, which is why I was wondering why it was being tried again in kent.

 

[Ivory55]

Where are you building all these places and who is paying for them ?

 

[GPW]

Where are you building all these places and who is paying for them ?

No I'm not building them, we pay council employeers and CEOs vast sums of money with assured pensions to do that job: it is literally their job to arrange that. What did you think councils are for?

They would build them in kent where they are needed, looking at the satellite view I can't see any shortage of land - can you?

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.1164196,0.9343378,8004m/data=!3m1!1e3

The EEC was (illegally) joined in 1972 by Heath so Kent County Council has had 2019 - 1972 = 47 years to provide these facilities: how many more years do you propose to give them?

 

[Pekepal]

Then your council needs to lobby government for funds or to charge a small fee for the use and upkeep of the new aires it could build. €10 per night for a decent facility would do it, should be a nice little earner and provide local employment. They could even open a cafe and mini-mart.

The solution of 'it's bad but there's nothing we can do' doesn't seem to have worked so far, which is why I was wondering why it was being tried again in kent.

There are lorry parks at Ashford etc but they prefer the side of the roads or to drive into the shopping areas and park rather than pay. M20 and Kent a complete disaster zone for cars etc at moment with changes in the road system and preparation for operation stack. Nightmare for the people of Kent. Charlie Elphick MP for Dover does his best but MP for Folkestone and Hythe sticks his head in the sand. Roll on next bye-election!

 

[GPW]

I looked it up, Kent County Council CEO Peter Gilroy in 2011 was on £440k.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/po...011-interactive-table-and-draft-accounts.html

so him or whoever replaced him doesn't have an excuse for mismanagement that has prevented adequate space and facilities being made available for foreign truck drivers.

Additionally trade from the Kent coast is not a sudden new surprise as it's been going on now for several thousand years. Perhaps people wondering why there is so much litter need to cut to the chase and ask parasites like this why they hoover up the money without providing any service?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}