Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
3 December 2010
18:2283101#1
Wasnt there a story on the news earlier today about a farmer getting in shtuck because he was operating on the Queens Highway while using red diesel. The farmer was helping to clear roads for his community by using his tractor, which was powered by red diesel, but got pinched for his trouble. I dont know the full details but it was red tape gone mad.
However the powers that be have acted very swiftly indeed
so sense has prevailed...see the following info just in hot off the wire from HMRC....
Farmers can use red diesel now to help out during this extreme weather snap
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HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) confirmed today that during extreme weather farmers can use red diesel in their tractors to help grit and clear snow from public roads.
Under normal rules any vehicle that is specifically constructed or adapted for dealing with frost, ice and snow - such as a snow plough - can work on public roads while using red diesel.
HMRC recognises the vital role played by farmers in helping to keep rural roads clear. So during this period of extreme weather HMRC will adopt a pragmatic approach to the rules. This means tractors on public roads clearing snow or gritting to provide access to schools, hospitals, a remote dwelling, or communities cut off by ice and snow are entitled to use red diesel.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
3 December 2010
18:3583106#2
when you say authority paul, i am assuming that you mean the police.
i cannot see how anyone from h.m.r.c. would get involved, glad that it has been sorted now.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
3 December 2010
18:4683108#3
Yes it would be the police, but it seems in rural areas they are extremely sensitive re someone using red diesel on the public roads. It is much cheaper as it is a low tax fuel but this fuel must ONLY be used for agricultural work. NOT on public roads.
Now even in the current miserable conditions where people are massively snowed in with no food heat and so on and clearing roads for life saving access is essential...one would assume a blind eye would be the order of the day, but no, someone had to go and spoil it.
However HMRC were quick to respond today. As obviously to penalise farmers for helping out in this way ( they have been helping up and down the land)...well it would be PR suicide. So sense has broken out.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
3 December 2010
18:5283111#4
Just to add... on one of the threads one of the guys has added a picture of a tractor helping out locally here in town, unfortunately not sure which thread, but interesting.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
3 December 2010
18:5583114#5
must have been seen as a soft target, would have alienated the locals.
Guest 662- Registered: 18 Mar 2008
- Posts: 325
3 December 2010
18:5583115#6
Residents of Singledge Lane are extremely grateful to the Farmer who comes out every morning and ploughs the lane, think there is a picture of the Lane on another thread and thats after he had been down !
Sheli x