19 April 2022
MP backs campaign to ensure roadside recovery workers receive fair payment

Peter Aldous is backing a campaign to ensure roadside recovery operators receive fair payment for their work, which is often dangerous and crucial to all road users' safety.

Roadside recovery operators provide breakdown cover for motorists, and also work under contract to remove vehicles that have been involved in crime or are causing an obstruction. These services are often provided on a statutory basis and the statutory fees have not been reviewed since 2008. Much of this fee is now taken by the police and highways authorities, so  operators are finding the work may soon no longer be viable.

Peter Aldous said:

“It is crucial that our hard-working recovery operators feel supported by the Government and they receive fair payment for their work, which is often dangerous and crucial to all road users' safety.”

Steve Smith, president of AVRO, said:

“Our members' survey highlights the shocking extent of the unfair treatment of the roadside rescue and recovery industry. 

“For too long our hard work and independent family-run businesses have been overlooked and undercut by the statutory fees framework and the police and highways authorities who employ us. It is extremely worrying operators are considering stopping work for police and highway authorities.

“This will have a detrimental impact on public safety and mean an increase in violent crime carried out on our roads. Our industry is in its worst financial position for 50 years. The Government must act now before total road chaos ensues. This is why AVRO is calling for any increase in statutory fees to be paid directly to recovery operators.”

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