Paul Goggins, Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, has received Brake and Direct Line’s ‘Parliamentarian of the Month’ award for raising the issue of HGV wheel safety in Parliament.
Paul was approached by Motor Wheel Service, a wheel supply company within his constituency, who were concerned about the lack of regulation to ensure the safety of second hand HGV wheels. They believe that there has been a rise of approximately 10,000 substandard second hand HGV wheels entering the UK market per year.
Paul is concerned that there are no guarantees that second hand wheels are safe: while tyres are heavily regulated to ensure they meet minimum standards of safety, wheels are not.
Paul secured a House of Commons debate in March 2011, which he used to urge the Government to introduce more rigorous checks to identify unsafe second hand wheels. Mike Penning, road safety minister, agreed to appoint a senior official in the DfT to act as a point of contact for the wheel supply industry, whereby they are able to directly forward any evidence of defective wheels or companies supplying them.
Paul Goggins said: “I had always assumed that wheels and tyres were subject to similar checks but that is not the case. Whilst tyres are closely monitored wheels are not. With more and more imported HGV wheels coming into the UK and a growing market for second hand wheels it is time for the government to act.
“I welcome the minister’s decision to appoint a senior official to follow up specific concerns reported by individuals and companies within the wheel industry.”
For more information contact Ellen Booth on 01484 550067.
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