When the lights are flashing on the boards saying “enter checkpoint”, are you supposed to enter or is it only for foreign lorries or similar? Went past there about 20 mins ago and they were flashing and there were a couple of vosa 4x4’s parked on the bridge. I drove past but half expected them to catch me up and pull me over. It’s the first time I’ve seen them lit so didn’t know what to do.
On another note, is it possible to park an artic up for a 45 with a view of the ferries at the Holyhead ferry terminal?
Only a Police Officer had the authority to request you to stop so unless you were instructed by the Police to pull into the vehicle checkpoint you should carry on as normal.
The fact that the lights on the checkpoint are flashing is just an indication that the checkpoint is manned and in operation.
Otherwise there would be vehicles backed up on the carriageway waiting for inspection if it was an automatic stop.
Or have I got that wrong?
bigdave789:
Only a Police Officer had the authority to request you to stop so unless you were instructed by the Police to pull into the vehicle checkpoint you should carry on as normal.
The fact that the lights on the checkpoint are flashing is just an indication that the checkpoint is manned and in operation.
Otherwise there would be vehicles backed up on the carriageway waiting for inspection if it was an automatic stop.
Or have I got that wrong?
as far as i am aware VOSA have the power to stop you . so maybe you have that one wrong .
VOSA at Holyhead target solely non UK reg vehicles. Which is wrong in my opinion. If you drive in in a UK reg they will wave you back out. If you drive past with a foreign reg those VOSA cars will be after you before you get to look in the mirrors. I also find it interesting how the lights when on are nearly always only on side heading to port. Surely if road safety was their concern they would be stopping people coming off boat more often than going to. But of course we know its only about money. Often fining people for bull s… Cabotage offences. Because Irish trucks pulling Irish trailers loaded with loads that originated in Ireland is supposedly cabotage. Which of course we all know if to protect domestic operators. It doesn’t in this case. It means the British tax payer loses out on taxation on fuel these Irish trucks would pay in the UK. Because they don’t give the traction to UK operators, they just ship the truck in every third load. Its a VOSA money making racket. I don’t like VOSA at Holyhead. Could you tell.
bigdave789:
Only a Police Officer had the authority to request you to stop so unless you were instructed by the Police to pull into the vehicle checkpoint you should carry on as normal.
The fact that the lights on the checkpoint are flashing is just an indication that the checkpoint is manned and in operation.
Otherwise there would be vehicles backed up on the carriageway waiting for inspection if it was an automatic stop.
Or have I got that wrong?
as far as i am aware VOSA have the power to stop you . so maybe you have that one wrong .
Yes you have that wrong. VOSA do now have the power to stop. And it is an automatic stop, they come and get you if you go past in a foreign reg vehicle
I was going away from Holyhead (did a delivery to the big Tesco). The lights weren’t on on the way there but on the way back the lights on both sides of the carriageway were flashing.
On a side note, those Irish wagons don’t half keep their foot in it. It’s like a blummin racetrack when a ferry comes in! Those Mclernon (if that’s how you spell it) are everywhere too. They seem a friendly bunch though (the irish) always saying thanks for being flashed in.
bigdave789:
Only a Police Officer had the authority to request you to stop so unless you were instructed by the Police to pull into the vehicle checkpoint you should carry on as normal.
The fact that the lights on the checkpoint are flashing is just an indication that the checkpoint is manned and in operation.
Otherwise there would be vehicles backed up on the carriageway waiting for inspection if it was an automatic stop.
Or have I got that wrong?
as far as i am aware VOSA have the power to stop you . so maybe you have that one wrong .
Yes you have that wrong. VOSA do now have the power to stop. And it is an automatic stop, they come and get you if you go past in a foreign reg vehicle
Interesting point, what if the lights are flashing but the VOSA officer makes no attempt to wave you in to the inspection area and you go sailing past?
Tarrman:
I was going away from Holyhead (did a delivery to the big Tesco). The lights weren’t on on the way there but on the way back the lights on both sides of the carriageway were flashing.
On a side note, those Irish wagons don’t half keep their foot in it. It’s like a blummin racetrack when a ferry comes in! Those Mclernon (if that’s how you spell it) are everywhere too. They seem a friendly bunch though (the irish) always saying thanks for being flashed in.
Silver_Surfer:
Yeah but that’s just stupid & lazy of them in my opinion.
I agree, i wouldn’t have entered unless I was waved in.
Neither would I. Remember the old weighbridge in Holyhead? Before VOSA when Trading Standards used to try and thrust bits of paper at you as you came off the boat?
I wish I could tell half of what I saw and did there in public
Silver_Surfer:
Yeah but that’s just stupid & lazy of them in my opinion.
I agree, i wouldn’t have entered unless I was waved in.
And because you have a UK reg they would leave you be. Have a foreign one though and they would come and get you. And they go through people that they’ve had to go get with a fine tooth comb. If you’ve nothing to run from there is no point going by.
Silver_Surfer:
Yeah but that’s just stupid & lazy of them in my opinion.
I agree, i wouldn’t have entered unless I was waved in.
And because you have a UK reg they would leave you be. Have a foreign one though and they would come and get you. And they go through people that they’ve had to go get with a fine tooth comb. If you’ve nothing to run from there is no point going by.
I used to go in with a UK reg fairly regular and normally got waved straight back out again. Once had a nail of a TNT trailer on and they had a quick look but that was it.
i came off the boat 1 night last winter,heading out the road and the ■■■■■■■ lights were flashing at the checkpoint,i knew my cards was100% and everything else was in order so i drove on.well in a flash the vosa was out after me(irish reg lorry).he got out of the car like a bull and marched up to me.he started “drive what do u think ur at?didnt u see the lights on back there”? i said i did but sure the lights were on at the 24hr Mcdonalds and i didnt go in there…he was ■■■■■■ with me
milkchurns:
i came off the boat 1 night last winter,heading out the road and the [zb] lights were flashing at the checkpoint,i knew my cards was100% and everything else was in order so i drove on.well in a flash the vosa was out after me(irish reg lorry).he got out of the car like a bull and marched up to me.he started “drive what do u think ur at?didnt u see the lights on back there”? i said i did but sure the lights were on at the 24hr Mcdonalds and i didnt go in there…he was ■■■■■■ with me
to be honest i had heard it before but i also wanted to say it to a vosa man/woman for myself and that was kinda reason that i didnt go in when the lights flash and i was glad to see them coming out after me
milkchurns:
to be honest i had heard it before but i also wanted to say it to a vosa man/woman for myself and that was kinda reason that i didnt go in when the lights flash and i was glad to see them coming out after me
A man after my own heart, you’ve got to be able to say you did it yourself!
but half expected them to catch me up and pull me over. It’s the first time I’ve seen them lit so didn’t know what to do.
