Dozens of truckers brought traffic to a standstill this morning in a demonstration over claims they are being put out of business by bigger dumpster trucks.

The trucks rolled slowly through Hamilton before descending on the Transport Control Department for a meeting with officials.

The demonstration came in the wake of calls for the public to support independent truckers who claim some tractor trailer dumpsters are operating illegally and putting them out of business.

Signs on the trucks said: “Dumpster taking our livelihood”, “Say no 2 dumpsters” and “Where is your heart”?.

Last night it emerged that notices have been handed out because several dumpsters have been operating inappropriately, the Transport Control Department said.

Responding to complaints by the Bermuda Truckers Association that illegal operators have been stealing their livelihoods, TCD announced it had recently carried out a “thorough review” of dumpsters on Bermuda’s roads.

“It was observed and concluded that several operators were using dumpsters inappropriately and, as a result, TCD issued notices to all permit holders advising truckers about operating in contravention of the law,” said a statement.

Tractor trailer dumpsters are restricted to transporting demolition rubble such as bulk concrete, steel and other heavy materials, but drivers complain they have seen such vehicles with aggregate loads such as sand, soil and gravel.

They say that because dumpsters have up to five times the capacity of regular HCH-class dump trucks, they are putting the smaller operators out of business.

At an emergency meeting on Monday night, the Truckers Association said meetings with Premier and Transport Minister Ewart Brown had failed to resolve the issue, and members called for the public to keep an eye out for illegal dumpsters.

Last night, TCD pointed out dumpsters are permitted on Bermuda’s roads at the discretion of Premier and Transport Minister Ewart Brown, and several companies have been granted permission to use these vehicles.

* For the full story and pictures on the demonstration see tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.