Magna issues reminders to driver

9/9/2009

Tradespeople will be asked to think carefully about where they park their company vehicles at night.

Magna West Somerset (MWS) plan to speak to all their drivers following a  letter published in last week’s West Somerset Free Press.

In it, the correspondent complained of Magna vans parked in residential areas causing a hazard for other road users.

Sean Thompson, MWS’s technical property services manager, said all staff will now be reminded to take extra care when parking vehicles overnight.

He said: “Firstly I’d like to apologise to anyone who has been inconvenienced by one of our vans. Our tradesmen take their vehicles home primarily because they are on 24-hour call for things like repairs and emergencies.

“This is a vital service we offer to tenants and one that requires the use of vans being readily available.

“Occasionally a van has been left in a residential area for a long period of time because its driver might be sick or on holiday. That is something we will now change and vans in these cases will be stored at our depot.

“I can understand people’s frustrations – the letter writer said they’d seen vans obscuring other road users vision and that is not acceptable. I will be talking to all our tradesmen to reiterate the company message about safety and consideration to others.”

Mr Thompson said MWS is one of a number of companies locally who vehicles have to be taken home at night by staff.

He explained: “Tenants can need our emergency services any time of the day and night and our tradesmen have to be able to respond immediately.

“It’s the same for many other companies who operate call out services and I know it can be difficult for all concerned.

“However, we have taken the letter writer’s comments on board and will be doing all we can to ensure this does not become an issue in the future.

“I would ask that anybody with any concerns contacts me directly on 0800 731 9293.”