Industry News

The shortlist for the Motor Transport Awards 2020 has now been announced and DPD will be hoping to add to its tally of 29 awards, being shortlisted in no fewer than seven categories this year. Although the Awards presentation has had to be postponed until August 27, and the judging day where our 50 senior independent judges get together to pick the winners and shortlist had to be cancelled, thanks to our online entry and judging process we have our [...]

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The FTA can now offer mobile inspections for companies whose workshop facilities are not available during the COVID-19 lockdown. It said its vehicle inspection service remains operational for both members and non-members and that it was vital operators put measures in place now to start returning mothballed fleets to roadworthy condition. Experts currently predict a partial lift of the government’s lockdown restrictions in four to six weeks’ time. The FTA said “a timely approach” to vehicle inspections will help operators [...]

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Maintaining social distance for truck drivers may be relatively easy to manage, but it’s more of a challenge for warehouse workers, as recent cases have proved... As panic buying eases, so too is the intense pressure being put on the warehouse operations of food retailers and distributors. But managing hygiene and social distancing requirements still poses challenges: “Safety of staff remains the highest priority and the operations at warehouses and online delivery hubs must strictly adhere to government guidelines on [...]

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London’s Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and stricter enforcement of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) have been postponed until February next year. Mayor Sadiq Khan said the four-month delay would allow the freight industry to focus on its core operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Transport for London (TfL) has already suspended the current LEZ, the congestion charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone until further notice and this latest development comes after it became apparent that disrupted supply chains would have made [...]

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The tyres of HGVs that are being parked up due to COVID-19 should be inspected to prepare them for extended parking, according to Michelin. After a survey from the RHA revealed that around 240,000 vehicles are now laid up for the immediate future, Michelin engineers warned that tyres are not designed to carry the weight of a parked truck or trailer indefinitely. Rob Blurton, senior technical field engineer, advised operators to inspect all tyres for visible damage and abnormal wear [...]

The post Tyres on mothballed HGV fleets need inspection, warns Michelin appeared first on Motor Transport.

The traffic commissioners are scrutinising requests by operators to furlough transport managers and companies should seek legal advice first, according to Backhouse Jones solicitors. Director Jonathan Backhouse said guidance from the senior traffic commissioner outlined three scenarios in which a company may consider to furlough a transport manager – and firms shouldn’t assume the move isn’t in breach of licensing regulations. The first is where a company wishes to furlough its one transport manager while continuing some form of operation. [...]

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The RHA is calling for the government to review its Clean Air Zones (CAZ) policy in the light of emerging evidence that a significant drop in car journeys during the COVID-19 lockdown has resulted in major improvements in air quality. Data collected by the National Centre for Atmospheric Science shows marked reductions in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and in particulate matter (PM2.5) since the government ordered a lock down to help slow the spread of the virus. Car journeys are estimated [...]

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The FTA has launched an online ‘member-to-member’ portal, providing companies with an opportunity to share and discuss the availability of their fleet or staff during the COVID-19 crisis. The web-based logistics swap-shop follows on from the success of the association’s #LogisticsHelpsLogistics campaign, which used the hashtag to link businesses in need of personnel or fleet resources with available workers or vehicle capacity. It said the member portal has two forums, one for companies to share and discuss the availability of [...]

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The government’s suspension of all Clean Air Zone schemes to January 2021 is not long enough, the RHA has insisted. The association is calling for the suspension to be extended for another year to January 2022 to allow hauliers to recover from the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to suspend Clean Air Zone schemes was confirmed by Defra minister Rebecca Pow this week. The move follows calls from Leeds and Birmingham City Councils for permission to delay [...]

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The FTA is calling for “urgent clarity” on how quickly furlough payments will be made once the government scheme launches at the end of this month, warning that firms furloughing workers are “fast running out of cash” as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Under the scheme, companies adversely affected by the pandemic can reclaim up to 80% of an employee’s usual monthly wage, up to £2,500 per month, plus employer national insurance contributions and minimum employer pension contributions. The FTA estimates [...]

The post Furlough funding needed now to protect businesses and workers during COVID-19 crisis, says FTA appeared first on Motor Transport.

The government is looking at alternative means of funding smaller hauliers struggling to access the Treasury’s COVID-19 funding packages. It also wants to “reverse” extended payment terms that some clients have put in place since the arrival of the Coronavirus pandemic. The strategies were revealed today (7 April) during a House of Commons Transport Committee hearing into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the transport sector. Lincoln MP Karl McCartney raised concerns about the plight of hauliers who are [...]

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The RHA is calling on the government to support the haulage industry after 6,500 responses within 36 hours to a survey of hauliers showed that 46% of the UK truck fleet - around 240,000 vehicles - is now parked up with no work. Chief executive Richard Burnett said that the government needs to take “urgent action” to prevent large numbers of operators going out of business as the existing package of bank loans and furlough payments is not addressing hauliers’ [...]

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The FTA is calling for an extension to the government’s furlough scheme, “sympathetic” repayment terms on government loans taken out during the pandemic and post-pandemic funding for the logistics industry to ensure the rapid recovery of the UK’s supply chain. Under the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, businesses hit by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for a grant covering 80% of all furloughed employees monthly wages, up to £2,500 a month. Currently the scheme only runs until 31 May, which [...]

The post FTA calls for raft of measures to protect logistics industry both during and after COVID-19 pandemic appeared first on Motor Transport.

Plummeting sales during the COVID-19 lockdown could force petrol stations to close leaving some hauliers facing fuel shortages, fuel retailers are warning. The closures could particularly impact on smaller hauliers that do not have the facilities to bunker fuel, particularly those located in rural areas, according to the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA). PRA chairman Brian Madderson, said: “To help freight move and help key workers travel safely and independently through this period of crisis, petrol filling stations must remain open, [...]

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Pall-Ex has launched a campaign celebrating the logistics industry’s contribution to keeping supply chains moving during the UK’s coronavirus lockdown. Dubbed #LoveLogistics, the campaign calls for the public to show their support for key workers in the logistics sector by displaying colourful pictures of lorries in their windows and by sharing on social media. The pallet network is asking people to download and print their lorry illustrations, colour them in, share via their social channels and display them in their [...]

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The need for drivers to undergo HGV driver medicals is to be suspended – possibly for a year - as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, according to a letter sent by MP Robert Buckland to a constituent. News of the suspension of D4 medicals will be met with relief by thousands of HGV drivers who are legally required to undergo a driver medical in order to renew their licences but have been unable to do so during the Covid-19 [...]

The post D4 medicals to be suspended for up to a year, MP confirms appeared first on Motor Transport.

The government is to suspend all Clean Air Zones until at least January 2021, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The move was confirmed today (6 April) in a letter from Defra minister Rebecca Pow MP to FTA chief executive David Wells. The letter was sent in response to the FTA’s calls for CAZ schemes to be delayed to ameliorate the pressure on logistics firms during and in the wake of the pandemic. In her response, Pow said [...]

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MV Commercial has urged hauliers to keep up regular truck maintenance checks following the DVSA’s decision to suspend commercial vehicle MOTs for three months. The CV sales and leasing company said its technician support network is doing all it can to support operators in their regular roadworthiness checks - maximising uptime and safeguarding road users. Steven Cairns, MD at MV Commercial, said: “Suspending MOTs gives operators vital breathing room at the time when they need it most. However, it’s essential [...]

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Industry associations remain divided over the support the logistics sector requires during the COVID-19 crisis, with the Association of Pallet Networks (APN) demanding a fuel duty derogation and the FTA preferring the Treasury concentrate on alleviating fixed costs. Last week the APN, which represents the UK’s eight pallet networks, issued a call for an exemption from fuel duty, by way of red diesel use, or an exemption certificate issued against operator licences. APN chairman Paul Sanders said: “The majority of [...]

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Furlough rules are needlessly preventing thousands of HGV drivers from delivering personal protective equipment (PPE) to millions of nurses and doctors, according to the RHA. The association was responding to claims made by health secretary Matt Hancock that a “mammoth logistical exercise” was to blame for delays in getting PPE to frontline staff. Speaking on BBC 1’s Question Time, Hancock said: “We do have the supplies, we have a massive supply in an enormous warehouse in the north west. “The [...]

The post “Ease furlough rules so drivers can deliver PPE,” RHA urges government appeared first on Motor Transport.

With all HGV MOTs suspended for three months from 21 March, there looks like being a serious backlog to sort out later in the year. John Kendall reveals what the situation was like before the closure, and what we can expect once things get back to normal... Under normal conditions, the DAF Trucks dealer network prepares and tests around 3,200 vehicles on average per month and achieves a 97.8% first-time pass rate, reveals DAF Trucks UK dealer development director John [...]

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Rules surrounding Driver CPC training have been relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic for drivers struggling to complete the training. The DfT said it had put in place temporary changes in professional driver qualification requirements, meaning drivers whose Driver CPC card expires in the period from 1 March 2020 to 30 September 2020 can continue driving. In addition, the DfT said military drivers will also be allowed to drive in civilian situations during that period. Drivers will not be subject to [...]

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As operators race to adopt new working patterns created by the delivery demands of the COVID-19 pandemic, efficient route planning has never been more important. A new on-demand tool could be just the answer for fleet managers looking for a simple, no-commitment way to ensure busy fleets are optimised to the max with fluctuating daily volumes. My Transport Planner is an online transport planning system that will enable organisations of all sizes to increase vehicle utilisation, cut costs and reduce [...]

The post SPONSORED: New on-demand transport planner offers fleet optimisation support during COVID-19 challenge appeared first on Motor Transport.

The DVSA has suspended dangerous goods vehicle (ADR) inspections in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A vehicle is eligible for a waiver if it was registered in GB and either has a current ADR1C dangerous goods certificate which expires on or after 21 March 2020 or is a new vehicle that entered service within the last year under authorisation 476. The DVSA said you cannot get a waiver for new non-type approved dangerous goods vehicles being put into service for [...]

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Clipper Logistics has been sub-contracted by NHS Supply Chain principal partner Unipart to run an entirely separate supply channel for the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) to NHS Trusts and community healthcare partners. Clipper Group will make a formal announcement to the City tomorrow morning (3 April) and motortransport.co.uk will share more details as they become available. it is understood the Clipper Logistics operation will be run out of DIRFT. Unipart was granted a five-year contract to provide logistics [...]

The post Clipper Logistics seals deal with Unipart to deliver personal protective equipment (PPE) to NHS trusts appeared first on Motor Transport.

Major waste management group, CSG, has committed to a further two years with Bandvulc, the specialist retread subsidiary of Continental, as it seeks to reduce both capital expenditure and management time on its vehicle fleet operations, while maintaining high safety and environmental standards. The decision takes the tyre management contract between the two companies into its seventh year, at a time when fleet numbers across CSG and sister company J&G have risen to close to 150 vehicles. CSG, based near [...]

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An exodus of East European drivers and major disruption to warehouse shift patterns are putting increasing pressure on the transport and logistics sector, a new report has warned. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak has seen migrant drivers attempt to return to their countries of origin, analysts at real estate firm Colliers International said. Many warehouse operations have also been forced to introduce new cleaning processes, disrupting normal operations and slowing the distribution of vital supplies. “To add to the [...]

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Logistics training specialist SP Training has claimed its first online CPC course generated "unprecedented multinational demand". The course was developed after the DVSA announced the suspension of classroom training due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but as a temporary alternative would allow approved trainers authorisation to deliver accepted courses remotely via digital platforms. The online course attracted drivers from four different nations, the company said, including one participant from Germany, as drivers scrambled to get urgent qualifications to secure employment. The [...]

The post SP Training: “Our first online CPC course attracted unprecedented multinational demand” appeared first on Motor Transport.

A senior figure at one of the UK's biggest logistics operations has admitted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could see businesses face "an armageddon of liquidations" and a future based on "the survival of the fittest". The source predicted many transport and warehousing companies with the right strategy would survive the crisis but that it would be "the last nail in the coffin for high street retail". "We fully expect that some of our fashion customers will never open [...]

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All travel relating to the operation of logistics business has been designated as essential travel by the government during the COVID-19 pandemic. The confirmation comes after both RHA and FTA complained to government officials that logistics workers were being challenged by police and other officials while trying to get to work or carrying out related services such as vehicle washing and delivering spare parts. In a letter sent to the RHA and FTA this week, Ben Rimmington, DfT co-director of [...]

The post Travel relating to logistics businesses is essential and should not be challenged, government tells police appeared first on Motor Transport.

Have you heard about the temporary relaxation of drivers hours and want to know more? Motor Transport's sister title, Commercial Motor is hosting a free webinar in association with Aquarius about this dramatic change in tachograph legislation. The additional measures being put in place by the Government and the relaxation of the working day allowances will have a dramatic affect on the haulage industry, but what exactly does it mean. This hour-long discussion will look at how it will affect [...]

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Fashion brand Boohoo’s Burnley distribution centre (DC) was raided by police this morning (31 March) after alleged claims the company had breached social distancing measures introduced by the government during the COVID-19 crisis. However, Boohoo confirmed the police left “without needing to take any action or make any recommendations” and hit out at claims that it had failed to protect workers at the two million sq ft hub, which employs around 500 people across two sites. A Boohoo spokeswoman told [...]

The post Police raid on Burnley DC finds no evidence of social distancing breach appeared first on Motor Transport.

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Motor Transport looks at the ways operators can build new business and benefit from government support schemes The government recently announced a range of measures for businesses, providing loans, tax deferrals, sick pay and other support for COVID-19 affected workers. Like so much else in this crisis, the information is being updated as things progress. The position regarding the self-employed was clarified with measures announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak on [...]

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Extra MSA Group has opened the first phase of its new £64m Leeds Skelton Lake Services. The new motorway service area, which is located at Junction 45 of the M1, two miles east of Leeds, opened its doors this week but has been forced to limit its offering to essential services only during the COVID-19 lockdown. Facilities that are open at the MSA during the COVID-19 lockdown include the fuel filling station, toilets and shower facilities, IONITY electric vehicle charging [...]

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HGV drivers working longer hours under new COVID-19 rules should be supplied with government-subsidised fatigue monitors to avert a rise in road accidents. The warning comes from road safety firm SmartWitness in the wake of the government’s emergency order which has eased drivers’ hours rules to allow round-the-clock deliveries of food and medical goods during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new rules increase the weekly maximum daily driving time of nine hours to 11 hours, and raise the weekly limit from [...]

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The FTA is calling for a major increase in roadside checks on vans to raise standards in the sector. The call follows a court case this week which found welding contractor Renown Consultants guilty of failing to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, following a deadly accident caused by a fatigued van driver. Nottingham Crown Court heard that Zac Payne, 20, and Michael Morris, 48, died in a crash at around 5.30am on 19 June 2013 [...]

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Transport for London (TfL) has told motortransport.co.uk a postponement to the Direct Vision Standard is being kept under consideration as concerns grow that manufacturers will struggle to fulfil vehicle orders. Following its decision to suspend all London road charging schemes, a TfL spokeswoman said a decision on the planned introduction of the DVS had yet to be made and added: “The matter is of course under consideration, and any changes would form part of the TfL-wide operational response to the [...]

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UK commercial vehicle production for the domestic market returned to growth in February this year, following five months of decline, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Output rose by 14.6% in the period, with 3,279 vans, trucks and buses built for UK operators. In contrast, production for export fell by 26.2% in the month with 1,670 fewer units shipped overseas, which SMMT said was due to slower demand in key European markets. [...]

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The RHA is actively exploring options to help hauliers through the COVID-19 crisis with government ministers. These include immediate cashflow injections, enforced payment holidays with leasing companies, banks and fuel suppliers and further measures to protect employees’ wages to safeguard our critical driver workforce both now and for when volume increases. "To enable this, the government will need to provide far more radical financial support to ensure transport operators survive. It is therefore imperative that we can accurately relay information [...]

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Expiration dates for the Safe Loading Pass Scheme (SLPS) have been extended until 25 July in order to help hauliers continue to run smoothly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Administered by the FTA, the SLPS identifies the vehicles and trailers that meet the safety standards required for admittance to fuel and gas loading terminals. In January, it was extended to cover liquefied petroleum gases. The FTA said all vehicle safe loading passes, which expire between 25 March and 25 June 2020, [...]

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Hauliers have demanded the government explains how its system for paying employees 80% of their salaries is going to work following concerns that it isn’t flexible enough to deal with their industry. Ian Barclay, operations director at Roger Warnes Transport in Kings Lynn, said the idea of furloughing its workforce – granting them a leave of absence during the Covid-19 pandemic – doesn’t work if parts of a business are seasonal or are experiencing a surge in growth while other [...]

The post Giving staff leave on 80% of salary won’t work for haulage sector, critics claim appeared first on Motor Transport.

Operators allowing or pressuring vulnerable employees to work during the COVID-19 pandemic could face HSE prosecution, a leading law firm warned this week. The warning was made during a webinar on the impact of new government emergency measures to tackle the pandemic on operators’ businesses. The webinar, organised by law firm Backhouse Jones, which specialises in transport law, tackled questions from operators on how to navigate the new rules around the temporary relaxation of drivers hours, furloughing employees, applying for [...]

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Transport industry business groups have demanded that adequate hygiene facilities, including hot and cold running water, are available to all drivers and warehouse operatives delivering to, or collecting from business premises. In a joint statement, FTA chief executive David Wells, RHA chief executive Richard Burnett and Unite national officer Adrian Jones stressed the legal obligations of businesses to employees and visitors, urging them to ensure that the facilities on offer comply with the legal requirements. “Government advice during this crisis [...]

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The FTA has requested an extension to the current transition period for leaving the EU in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. It has also asked ministers to consider suspending the implementation of other legislation which will affect logistics operators in the short term. This includes the expansion of the London-wide Low Emission Zone for HGVs and the London Direct Vision Standard, due to take effect from October this year, as well as the start of other clean air zones [...]

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Reuse services union GMB London has called for immediate social distancing measures to be put in place to ensure the safety of refuse service staff. Despite new government lock-down measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, crews have reportedly been instructed to carry on work as normal, which the union said "cannot be right". It has written to the Local Government Association asking it to follow the latest government directives and give clear guidelines to all councils and contractors on how to [...]

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Renewable fuels are "one of the most rapid and economically viable" ways to decarbonise HGVs, according to the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP). Its new 'Renewable fuels guide' says these green fuels can immediately cut greenhouse gas emissions from commercial vehicles for which few other solutions are currently available to help meet the UK’s net zero emissions target. With electrification of long distance, heavy road freight still some way off the LowCVP argues that the quickest way to cut emissions [...]

The post Renewable fuels for combustion engines the quickest way to decarbonise HGVs appeared first on Motor Transport.

A specialist transport lawyer has urged hauliers to switch strategy if their work isn’t essential to the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak. He advised operators with spare capacity to offer their services to the sectors that needed it most, including supermarkets and pharmaceuticals. Transport workers are among those on a government list of people deemed critical to the COVID-19 response. However, Tim Culpin, transport partner at  law firm Aaron and Partners, said haulage clients working in multiple sectors had contacted [...]

The post COVID-19: “Help sectors under most pressure,” transport lawyer urges hauliers appeared first on Motor Transport.

A shortage of doctors combined with moves by landlords to close premises during the coronavirus outbreak is preventing HGV drivers from getting their D4 medicals renewed. D4Drivers, which carries out more than 5,000 D4 medicals a month at sites across the UK, has been forced to put out a national appeal to firms that have spare warehouse or office capacity after some of its clinics were forced to close down during the pandemic. Medical director Dr Grant Charlesworth-Jones said: “In [...]

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The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) is calling for transport operators with spare capacity to get in touch so they can be matched with suppliers to ensure the security of the supply chain during the COVID-19 outbreak. The call is part of a move by CILT to match organisations together so that those who have capacity can help those in need, by making available staff, vehicles and expertise to support the supply chain. Kevin Richardson, chief executive of [...]

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Logistics training specialist SP Training is launching a series of online Driver CPC courses after welcoming the DVSA’s announcement that it will allow options for remote training. The DVSA confirmed that classroom delivery of Driver CPC periodic training was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak and, as a temporary alternative, would allow approved trainers authorisation to deliver accepted courses remotely via digital platforms. SP Training courses suitable for remote delivery will be split into 3.5-hour sessions to encourage driver engagement [...]

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HGV driver medicals are being suspended by two of the largest providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fit to Drive suspended its D4 medicals yesterday (23 March) whilst D4Drivers suspended its medicals today. Fit2Drive Medicals carries out between 1,000 to 3,000 D4 medicals a month, whilst D4Drivers processes up to 5,000 drivers a month. Speaking to motortransport.co.uk, Fit to Drive director Paul Andrews, who also runs Clitheroe-based Paul Andrews Haulage said: “We have taken the view it is safer not to [...]

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Plans to introduce a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) in Oxford have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new scheme was due to begin in December 2020 but Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council said local businesses and residents needed to concentrate on managing the impact of the coronavirus. They also admitted they would be unable to devote enough time to the scheme at the present time. The ZEZ covers a section of Oxford city centre and will [...]

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The Department for Transport has announced that the current limited drivers’ hours relaxation will be extended until 23.59hrs on Tuesday 21 April 2020 and apply to all road haulage operations. The move follows discussions between RHA chief executive Richard Burnett (pictured) and secretary of state for transport, Grant Shapps. “This is a blanket relaxation covering all sectors," Burnett said, "and recognises how integrated and inter-dependent supply chains are across the whole economy. The sector is working as efficiently and as [...]

The post Drivers’ hours relaxed until 21 April but ‘must not be abused recklessly’ appeared first on Motor Transport.

The Association of Pallet Networks (APN) is calling on government to suspend fuel duty for the logistics industry to protect hauliers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and secure the supply chain. The APN, which represents the UK’s eight pallet networks, is also calling on the RHA and FTA to join forces with it to lobby the Treasury for the derogation. Explained APN chairman Paul Sanders: “The majority of UK haulage operations are small or SME businesses. “Their business [...]

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The DVSA has announced that all MOT testing of trucks and trailers will be suspended for three months in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Any trucks and trailers due for test in the suspension period will be issued with exemptions automatically. Some vehicles, such as those due for their first MOT test and vehicles returning to service with a test certificate that expired before March, will require an application for exemption certificates. However, the RHA has admitted it has concerns [...]

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With mounting pressure on a number of distribution operations, the government has taken steps to ease the pressure on drivers and transport operations to make sure that the supplies that we all need continue to get through. The relaxation gives some stretch to daily, weekly and fortnightly drivers’ hours and lengthens the time available for driving between rest periods. “It is absolutely vital to get flexibility into the system so that the goods that we all need are delivered," says [...]

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All London road charging schemes will be temporarily suspended from today (23 March) to help ensure supply chains are kept moving and critical workers and emergency vehicles can move around the capital during the coronavirus outbreak. Transport for London (TfL) said the Congestion Charge, Ultra Low Emission Zone and Low Emission Zone would stop operating until further notice. However, Mayor Sadiq Khan warned that the closure was not an invitation for people to take to their cars around the capital [...]

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As rising numbers of customers refuse to sign Proof of Delivery (POD) tablets due to coronavirus concerns, operators could be left exposed to future non-delivery claims, the RHA has warned. The warning comes as increasing numbers of operators report that drivers are being met at point of delivery by customers concerned about the dangers of signing for parcels on PODs that may have been handled by dozens of other customers during the driver’s rounds. In an advice note the RHA [...]

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Wimbledon-based ELB Partners has marked 50 years of business with two new Mercedes Actros, wrapped in a distinctive anniversary white and silver livery. The 20-plate HGVs, which come with camera-enabled technology to replace conventional mirrors, join two new DAFs as part of a £500,000 investment. “This year - 2020 - is a year of reflection and looking forward,” said ELB Partners MD Peter Eason, whose father George started the business in 1970. Read more ELB Partners creates driver representative role [...]

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"This has been a week of unprecedented measures for all of us," writes Road Transport Media divisional director Vic Bunby. "The continued spread of the COVID-19 virus, daily changes in government advice and guidelines around travel restrictions and social gatherings have been challenging, and unlike anything we’ve seen before. Like you, we have been working hard behind the scenes, planning the coming weeks and months as new information becomes available. I would like to update you on the status of [...]

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Transport workers are among those on a new government list of people deemed "critical to the COVID-19 response" and whose children will therefore be prioritised for educational provision in schools. Schools are currently being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children who are either vulnerable or who can't be safely cared for at home and whose parents are central to coping with the impact of the pandemic. The government said the list included "those who [...]

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FORS – the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme – has announced that, following the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, all FORS Bronze site audit activity will be suspended from Monday 23 March 2020 until further notice. An official communication to the scheme’s primary and secondary contacts yesterday (19 March), stated: "Organisations with audits booked to take place up to and including Monday 23 March 2020 can cancel them if they wish and receive a full audit refund. Cancellation charges will not [...]

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The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic will have grave consequences for the transport and logistics sector without urgent action at national and EU level. Most ACEA members have already announced temporary closures of plants due to collapsing demand, supply shortages and government measures and are facing cases of corona infections and quarantines among their employees. “It is clear that this is the worst crisis ever to impact the automotive industry,” admitted ACEA director general [...]

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The government’s promise to provide a £330bn package of financial measures to keep the UK industry afloat has been welcomed by hauliers, although questions remain over how quickly they can access help. Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the government was prepared to do whatever it takes to shore up the economy and protect jobs and incomes with an unprecedented rescue package in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures include grants, loans and a business rates holiday, but companies and [...]

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The DVSA has suspended vehicle tests for two days to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The move comes as hauliers reported that they were struggling to book vehicle inspections and MOTs due to shortfalls of staff. A DVSA spokesman said: “We are working to put contingency plans in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, including suspending driver and vehicle tests for an initial period of two days from 19/3/2020. “A testing service will still be available to those [...]

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Wimbledon-based ELB Partners has marked 50 years of business with two new Mercedes Actros, wrapped in a distinctive anniversary white and silver livery. The 20-plate HGVs, which come with camera-enabled technology to replace conventional mirrors, join two new DAFs as part of a £500,000 investment. “This year - 2020 - is a year of reflection and looking forward,” said ELB Partners MD Peter Eason, whose father George started the business in 1970. Read more ELB Partners creates driver representative role [...]

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The FTA has reassured UK businesses that the supply chain is capable of handling the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic but said it would take the support of government and a flexible approach to keep goods flowing. “Logistics is one of the UK’s most flexible and adaptable industries,” explained policy director Elizabeth de Jong, “and is used to reacting to extreme disruption caused by environmental factors, fuel shortages and employment strikes. "Our members are working closely with customers to [...]

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The IR35 tax reforms will be delayed for a year to help firms weather the coronavirus pandemic, the treasury has revealed. The move, announced by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay, comes less than a week after the measures were confirmed in the Budget and a day after the House of Lords Finance Bill sub-committee called for a six- to 12-month delay to IR35 in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking during the Budget debate in [...]

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RHA chief executive Richard Burnett has paid tribute to the “positive response” from transport secretary Grant Schapps MP to a set of measures requested to support the haulage industry through the coronavirus epidemic. In a letter to Schapps seen by MT, Burnett warned that his members were “reporting catastrophic effects on their businesses” and the government needs to make “immediate financial intervention” to prevent mass bankruptcies. “I have been in regular contact with Grant Schapps and am confident he understands [...]

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The London Lorry Control Scheme has been suspended in order to ease the passage of goods into shops and supermarkets. London Councils said the decision to cease enforcement of the scheme, which controls the movement of lorries at night and at weekends, was made in response to concerns by the industry, as well as government calls to lift restrictions. It said the suspension is in place until 30 April, but that it would keep it under review. In a statement, [...]

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The DVSA has had to postpone its campaign to remind HGV drivers and operators of the regulations around driving time and rests and to encourage them to stick to the rules as a result of the coronavirus. The relaxation of the drivers' hours for some drivers has made the DVSA push back its planned campaign, including answering questions from drivers and operators on the rules. Thank you to everyone who has submitted some excellent questions for clarification by the DVSA [...]

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The government has relaxed EU drivers’ hours rules in England, Scotland and Wales for hauliers involved in the delivery of food and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. The relaxation also affects deliveries of personal care, household paper and cleaning products. The Department for Transport (DfT) said this “temporary, limited and urgent relaxation” affected drivers when undertaking journeys from distribution to stores or fulfilment centres; from manufacturers or suppliers to distribution centres (including backhauls) and stores; between distribution centres and transport hub trunking, as [...]

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The International Road Transport Union (IRU) is calling on governments and banks to help ease the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on operators so they can continue to keep supplies moving. It estimates that global road transport activity could fall by up to 20% in 2020, depending on how long the situation continues, leading to a global loss in operator revenues of around $2 trillion (£1.63 trillion). The IRU is calling for a number of measures to be taken to [...]

The post IRU calls for financial help for operators to keep supply chains moving during COVID-19 pandemic appeared first on Motor Transport.

The RHA has added to industry calls for the government to pledge immediate financial support for hauliers who face going out of business because of the coronavirus crisis. RHA chief executive Richard Burnett (pictured) has told transport secretary Grant Shapps to undertake a series of measures to ease the burden on operators. These include immediate cash flow injections, deferment of tax payments and a delay to the launch of clean air zones by at least six months. “We need to [...]

The post Hauliers risk closure unless government gives extra financial support, warns RHA appeared first on Motor Transport.

Logistics companies are paying thousands of pounds to private clinics to test their drivers and warehouse staff for the coronavirus in the absence of widespread testing for the disease by the NHS. In a bid to secure their supply chains and fulfil contractual obligations during the pandemic, some companies are paying upwards of £250 per test to ensure their fleets of drivers are free of the virus. Private clinics are preparing for a rapid rise in requests for the testing [...]

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Employment agency Redwigwam is scrapping fees until further notice to help logistics firms ensure they have enough drivers and warehouse workers to keep the supply chain moving. The company specialises in helping firms find flexible workers to carry out short-term and ad hoc jobs. Lorna Davidson (pictured), founder and chief executive of Liverpool-based Redwigwam, said: “Coronavirus is already having a massive impact on businesses across the UK and the government has made clear that the situation will get worse over [...]

The post Agency Redwigwam waives fees on flexible workers to help logistics sector beat coronavirus appeared first on Motor Transport.

The delayed Birmingham Clean Air Zone (CAZ) could face further setbacks due to the coronavirus pandemic, the council has warned. Birmingham City Council was forced to delay the launch of its CAZ in January this year following issues with the government’s online vehicle checking tool. The launch date was pushed back to June and while the council is still aiming for that date it warned this week the COVID-19 outbreak could create further delays. A spokesperson said: “We aim to [...]

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ITT Hub 2020 has been postponed until 12 and 13 May 2021 in response to the current coronavirus outbreak. Organised by Binswood Media with FTA support, the new show is designed to showcase innovation and technology in road freight transport. However, the company said it had now taken the decision to postpone the launch event planned to take place at Farnborough International Conference & Exhibition Centre on the 13 and 14 May 2020. "This decision has not been taken lightly [...]

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Home delivery drivers should be regularly tested for Coronavirus and customers should not sign for delivery on fingertip screens, the head of fleet software firm FleetCheck is warning. MD Peter Golding (pictured) has called for clear government or industry guidance on the way shopping is delivered to customers to prevent home delivery spreading the virus to both drivers and customers. He said: “This is an area where we need to establish some sensible ground rules very quickly, we believe. Home [...]

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International haulage is crucial for many UK fleets, with thousands of operators completing European contracts and many European hauliers doing likewise across the UK. UK government statistics highlight that, from July 2018 to June 2019, international road freight activity completed by UK-registered HGVs saw an increase of 5% in the amount of goods moved compared to the previous 12 months, with a total of 5.5bn tonne-kms. In many cases, such routes mean that a driver can cross through several countries [...]

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‘Dynamic’ hard shoulder running on smart motorways is to be brought to an end after analysis found it caused confusion and increased the risk of accidents. In addition, the deployment of radar-based ‘stopped vehicle detection’ will be ramped up across the entire smart motorway network, after government research showed the risk of collisions between moving and stationary vehicles had increased. Near misses on smart motorways have risen twenty-fold in the past five years to 1,485, compared to 72 near misses [...]

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SME operators will go out of business unless the government reforms its clean air zone (CAZ) policy and introduces ‘intelligent phasing’, the RHA has warned. Responding to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for road haulage’s inquiry into CAZ, the trade association said the current approach was expensive, inflexible and ineffective. Chief executive Richard Burnett said CAZs had wiped as much as £1.2bn off the value of the Euro-5 fleet and that it was “a grievous body blow for hauliers”. [...]

The post “Reform clean air zone policy or watch operators go out of business,” RHA urges government appeared first on Motor Transport.

The BVRLA has welcomed the range of electric vehicle grants and tax incentives announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in today's (11 March) Budget. The trade body for the vehicle rental, leasing and fleet industry said the measures would provide a major boost for those looking to speed-up the transition to zero-emission transport. Key announcements that will support fleets and help drive the uptake of electric vehicles include a £532m pledge to maintain the Plug-In Car and Van Grants until March [...]

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Kinaxia Logistics chief executive Simon Hobbs (pictured) has welcomed today's (March 11) Budget in which the Chancellor promised that the NHS will get "whatever it needs, whatever it costs" to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. Rishi Sunak said his three-point £1bn plan to tackle the impact of the virus on the UK workforce would include extending access to statutory sick pay and allowing anyone self-isolating to get a sick note over the phone. He also promised that the government would make [...]

The post Kinaxia boss praises Budget pledge to support UK workforce amid Coronavirus outbreak appeared first on Motor Transport.

A campaign group is also seeking a judicial review of the government’s decision to introduce smart motorways. It has appointed Yogi Amin, human rights lawyer and partner at Irwin Mitchell to pursue the case and has raised almost £10,000 of the £20,000 it needs to fund the case on crowdfunding site Crowd Justice. The Smart Motorways Kill campaign group was launched by relatives and friends of some the 38 people that have died since 2015 on smart motorways. The group’s [...]

The post Campaigners to launch legal challenge to smart motorway programme appeared first on Motor Transport.

Telematics and transport technology firm Microlise has bought TruTac in a move aimed at strengthening its presence in the HGV and PSV sectors. The company, which was launched in 1990, specialises in providing fleet compliance and management software for HGVs and PSVs. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, sees Coventry-based TruTac remain an independent company within the Microlise Group. Nadeem Raza, Microlise chief executive, said: “We are delighted to announce this acquisition and we welcome the TruTac team to Microlise. [...]

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The government has given supermarkets the go-ahead to ramp up night-time deliveries and is looking at extending delivery drivers’ hours to ensure stores remain stocked during the coronavirus outbreak. The emergency measures, announced today, will see delivery hours to supermarkets extended outside night-time curfew hours to help food retailers respond to increased demand for long-life food and hygiene supplies. The government said it is also looking at allowing extensions on drivers’ hours “to respond to any shortage of delivery drivers” [...]

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HGV service provider AS24 has launched a low-power tracker to combat trailer theft. The 'FindIT' device has been developed after an ONS study revealed that thefts involving transport companies increased by 7% last year. The new battery-powered technology features a "low-cost box", which can be fitted in five minutes, the company said. The device locates the trailer and sends the haulage operator an alert when it is not where it should be. Operators can therefore access information on all their [...]

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FORS – the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme – has contacted the Traffic Commissioner (TC) for the west of England, Kevin Rooney, to "seek clarification on comments that its audits had on occasion fallen short of a diligent, high-standard process". "Remarks published in recent press reports suggest that a FORS member audit had been hastily carried out and not conducted on site," a statement said. "FORS has requested further information to enable an investigation. Although the TC has acknowledged receipt of [...]

The post FORS seeks clarification from Traffic Commissioner over audit criticism appeared first on Motor Transport.

The government’s £25bn Roads Programme is facing delays while the DfT reappraises the strategy in the light of the recent Court of Appeal ruling on plans to expand Heathrow. The review could result in some major road schemes, including plans to expand the Smart Motorway programme, delayed or scrapped altogether. The five-year Roads Programme, which plans to expand more than 100 major roads, was due to start next month and was expected to be published alongside this week’s budget. However, [...]

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Hopes for an 11th hour U-turn on IR35 have been dashed this week after an HMRC review confirmed that the proposed tax changes - which could see driver agency rates leap by 20% - will go ahead from April. The IR35 review, dubbed Review of Changes to the Off-payroll Working Rules, was launched in January this year on the back of a pre-election promise from former Chancellor Sajid Javid that he would “make sure that the proposed changes are right [...]

The post No 11th hour U-turn on IR35, HMRC review confirms appeared first on Motor Transport.

Motor Transport has teamed with the CV Show to bring visitors to the show a Future Transport Theatre to examine some of the big issues facing road transport. Taking place on every day of the show which runs from April 28 to 30 at the Birmingham NEC, the Future Transport Theatre will be held adjacent to the Commercial Motor stand 4G35 in hall 4. The provisional running order is: Tuesday 1000 The Road to Zero – is diesel dead? – [...]

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The DVSA is to launch a campaign to remind HGV drivers and operators of the regulations around driving time and rests, and to encourage them to stick to the rules. Mark Horton, DVSA enforcement policy manager, said: “HGV drivers do a vital job in often difficult circumstances. We know it’s not always easy to comply with the rules on breaks and rests, but they are there for a reason – to help keep our roads safer for everyone. “That’s why [...]

The post All your questions about drivers’ hours but were afraid to ask – answered anonymously by DVSA appeared first on Motor Transport.

The industry has begun making plans to mitigate the effects of Covid-19, but hauliers have told motortransport.co.uk they also need the government to provide more regular updates on the spread of the virus. As UK health officials moved into the second phase of their response to the coronavirus outbreak, companies involved in logistics and distribution said the burden of responsibility to keep supermarkets and shops fully stocked was “huge”. Peter Whitehead, MD at PF Whitehead in Croydon, said it had [...]

The post Coronavirus: “We feel a huge burden to keep the wheels turning,” admit hauliers appeared first on Motor Transport.

HGV service provider AS 24 has launched a low-power tracker to combat trailer theft. The 'FindIT' device has been developed after an ONS study revealed that thefts involving transport companies increased by 7% last year. The new battery-powered technology features a "low-cost box", which can be fitted in five minutes, the company said. The device locates the trailer and sends the haulage operator an alert when it is not where it should be. Operators can therefore access information on all [...]

The post AS 24 launches tracker to combat trailer theft appeared first on Motor Transport.

A new public hydrogen refuelling station has opened at Wallyford, less than a mile off the A1 and 8 miles to the east of Edinburgh. The Logan Energy station supplies vans, trucks and buses with hydrogen at 350 bar; it is the first in Scotland’s Central Belt and the only hydrogen station between Aberdeen and Sheffield. Logan Energy has a "strong belief in the hydrogen economy and its role in the future energy system", and has financed the station itself. [...]

The post Hydrogen drought in Scotland’s Central Belt ended with Edinburgh refuelling station appeared first on Motor Transport.

Michelin has pledged to fundraise £25,000 for charity Transaid after renewing its membership with the international development organisation. The renewal extends a relationship that began when Transaid was founded by Save the Children, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) in 1998. Michelin intends to fundraise the money in cycle challenge sponsorship this year. Read more Malcolm Group driver trainer completes Transaid HGV placement in Tanzania Neat idea to fund Transaid bicycle ambulances while cutting plastic use XPO Logistics [...]

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A plan to transport freight from Manston Airport to the capital by electric vehicle to Ramsgate Port and onwards to London via the River Thames is being discussed by The Port of London Authority (PLA) and airport owners RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP). RSP is currently applying for a development consent order to create an air cargo hub at the Manston airport site. A decision from the DfT is expected on 18 May. The developer plans to reopen and develop Manston [...]

The post Manston Airport owners mull freight route to London via Ramsgate Port and Thames appeared first on Motor Transport.

RHA chief executive Richard Burnett is the latest speaker to be announced at the Microlise Transport Conference taking place on the 20 May at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry. Burnett will discuss 'the post-Brexit landscape', clean air zones, investment in road infrastructure and the skills shortage and need for diversity within the transport sector. He will also update the industry on the continuing work the RHA is doing to tackle the issues facing operators. “The Microlise Transport Conference is the [...]

The post RHA chief executive to examine sector’s future at Microlise Transport Conference appeared first on Motor Transport.

The government should make the use of longer semi-trailers (LSTs) a permanent fixture on the UK’s roads following the successful outcome of its trial, according to the FTA. The DfT funded study demonstrates that use of these vehicles continues to have a significant impact on the reduction of carbon emissions and road congestion across the UK. They have also been found to be safe for both the driver and other road users. Explained Phil Lloyd, head of engineering & vehicle [...]

The post DfT holding back benefits of longer semi trailers, claims FTA appeared first on Motor Transport.

Technology specialist Samsara has launched new tools to help operators looking to transition their fleets to electric. The products include real-time current and historical state of charge (SoC) reports and ways to monitor charging status to determine if their vehicles are plugged in and charging. New alerts also notify operators if the SoC falls below a particular custom percentage so the driver can route the vehicle to the closest charging station. The new products also aim to help operators leverage [...]

The post Samsara launches tools to help operators switch to electric fleets appeared first on Motor Transport.

John Heirs, driver training & compliance manager with Malcolm Group, has returned to the UK after completing his third voluntary placement supporting Transaid’s Professional Driver Training Project with the National Institute of Transport (NIT) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The project aims to reduce the number of road crashes and fatalities on Tanzanian roads by improving the standards of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) and passenger service vehicle (PSV) driver training. During the secondment, Heirs delivered training to six NIT driver [...]

The post Malcolm Group driver trainer completes Transaid HGV placement in Tanzania appeared first on Motor Transport.

HS2 Ltd, the public body tasked with overseeing the project, has revealed that at least 500 tippers may be needed full-time during the peak of its construction. The vast majority of the 132m tonnes of material excavated during the development of the high-speed railway will be moved by site haul plant to locations it can be safely and smartly reused in Phase One of the project without moving it off-site. Ben Goodwin, HS2 communications manager: Phase Two – Eastern Leg, [...]

The post HS2 may need over 500 full-time tippers at construction peak appeared first on Motor Transport.

Road users are being urged to report poor road signs on motorways and A-roads in a bid to force Highways England to improve signage across the UK’s major roads network. The Sort My Sign campaign, launched by Transport Focus, aims to pressure Highways England to make signs, including electronic signs, clearer to improve safety and reduce driver stress. The information from road users will be used by Transport Focus to create a map identifying poor signs which will be used [...]

The post Roads watchdog calls for road users to name and shame poor road signs appeared first on Motor Transport.

An environmental campaign group is planning a legal challenge to the government’s £28.8bn roads programme on the grounds that it breaches UK climate and environment laws. Campaign group Transport Action Network is warning that the DfT’s latest five-year Road Investment Strategy, due to be published in April, does not take into account recent government commitments on reducing carbon emissions. The warning follows the successful legal challenge to Heathrow Airport's expansion plans, which saw the Appeal Court rule that the plans [...]

The post Government’s £28bn road programme set to face similar legal challenge used to halt Heathrow expansion appeared first on Motor Transport.

The government has confirmed that around 50,000 workers will need to be recruited to fill out customs paperwork for trade with the EU after Brexit in a Canada-style deal. Pressed by Labour MP Justin Madders over whether it was feasible to recruit and train an estimated 50,000 new customs officers in less than six months, cabinet office minister Michael Gove said: “Yes, it is and the government stand behind that.” The FTA said negotiations with the EU over a future [...]

The post New Brexit border rules will require 50,000 extra customs officers, government admits appeared first on Motor Transport.

Significant financial, regulatory and societal barriers are preventing commercial vehicle operators from investing more in road safety practices, according to a report from the International Road Transport Union (IRU). It found that while 80% of logistics operators will continue to invest in road safety and the industry recognises it has a key role in safety improvements, financial resources, a resistance to change and technology know-how were all preventing further investment. The IRU said 3,500 people die on the roads around [...]

The post Make a bigger investment in road safety, operators urged appeared first on Motor Transport.

Ford Motor Company is the latest big name to sign up for ITT Hub 2020 at Farnborough International Conference & Exhibition Centre on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 May. Ford will be showcasing its latest commercial vehicle range and providing live demos. The company joins over 80 confirmed exhibitors including DAF Trucks, Iveco, Mercedes Benz Truck, Renault Truck & Van and Volvo Group. The event features indoor and outdoor space, a ride and drive vehicle demonstration programme featuring all the [...]

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Plans for a controversial clean air zone (CAZ) in Coventry have been abandoned in a move the RHA has described as "a victory for common sense". The Government has now backed Coventry City Council’s plans to improve air quality without charging hauliers and other road users. New measures including improved road networks and investment in cleaner air technologies have won ministers over after they had originally ordered local officials to implement a CAZ to bring emissions down to within legal [...]

The post Hauliers claim victory as Coventry CAZ scheme is scrapped appeared first on Motor Transport.

The RHA has repeated its plea to the French authorities to do more to protect truck drivers from violent migrant gangs looking to enter the UK illegally. The call comes after an HGV driver was allegedly threatened with guns and knives at a French service station on Thursday night (20 February). The driver reported being confronted by a migrant gang while parked off the A26 in Guignicourt, near Reims – 150 miles from Calais. Police were called and the driver [...]

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The government is being urged not to raise fuel duty in the forthcoming Budget following speculation that the first increase in a decade is on the cards. Reports suggest that the plan under consideration is an increase of around 2ppl, although the rise may not be introduced until next year. However, the RHA said if the tax went up with the rate of inflation then the annual cost of running an HGV would increase by £763. Instead, the trade association [...]

The post Government urged to maintain 10-year freeze on fuel duty in March Budget appeared first on Motor Transport.

A national survey of road freight operators on the impact of clean air zones (CAZs) has been launched by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Road Freight and Logistics as part of its first inquiry of the new parliamentary session. The APPG is chaired by former transport minister Sir Mike Penning MP, who said: “We all welcome the government’s determination to tackle the challenge of air quality in our towns and cities, but it is essential that well intentioned policies do [...]

The post Hauliers to get their say to government on impact of clean air zones appeared first on Motor Transport.

Doctors on Wheels is circumventing a DVLA ban on its D4 medicals by offering HGV drivers medicals with self-employed doctors, MT has learnt. DVLA stopped accepting all D4 medicals from Doctors on Wheels (DoW) from 20 June last year. The decision was triggered by an investigation into the company, which saw raids on the firm’s offices in Swindon, Leicester and Huddersfield. The joint investigation by DVLA and Swansea Trading Standards was prompted by claims that D4 medicals were not being [...]

The post Doctors on Wheels still offering D4 driver medicals appeared first on Motor Transport.

The deadline to enter the 2020 Motor Transport Awards has been extended to 5pm on 6 March. To request an extension go to the MT Awards website and complete the form. This year, to reflect the increasing pace of adoption of electric and other alternative fuelled vans, the awards include two new categories: Clean Fleet Van of the Year sponsored by Close Brothers Vehicle Hire and Clean Fleet Van Operator of the Year sponsored by Renault Trucks. The 34th Motor Transport Awards [...]

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Classifying HGV drivers as ‘low skilled’ and refusing potential applicants from getting visas could cause the industry to grind to a halt, business groups have warned. The government this week unveiled its plan to move away from the UK’s reliance on “cheap labour” from Europe and instead “encourage people with the right talent.” The proposals include expanding the definition of skilled workers to those educated to A-level/Scottish Highers equivalent standard. A points-based system would also be introduced, with overseas citizens [...]

The post FTA “appalled” by points-based immigration plan appeared first on Motor Transport.

Hundreds of millions of pounds raised by employers and intended to pay for apprentices has not been used and has instead paid back to the government, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information act. The data obtained by the BBC showed that 55 of the largest employers in England each released more than £1m back to the government after the money was not used to train apprentices. In total, almost 5,000 companies in England relinquished £401m of funding [...]

The post New probe points to major flaw in apprenticeship levy appeared first on Motor Transport.

The industry is sailing headlong into a “perfect storm” of conditions that will push the current shortage of HGV drivers to crisis levels, according to recruiter Driver Require. It said the culmination of Brexit, a drop in the exchange rate and impending IR35 legislation, which aims to close a limited company loophole, all stack up to make the UK a less attractive place to work for foreign HGV drivers. And whereas previously the industry has avoided the driver shortage becoming [...]

The post IR35 rollout could trigger mass exodus of foreign HGV drivers appeared first on Motor Transport.

The shortage of LGV drivers in the UK is heading towards crisis point as a “perfect storm” of circumstances will see the current 50,000 gap in the workforce widen unless rates of pay and working conditions are rapidly improved, according to recruitment specialist Driver Require. Its latest report 'Investigating the UK’s LGV driver shortage' says the shortage of LGV drivers has been growing steadily over the past 10 years, with demand currently 370,000 drivers but only 320,000 currently working. The UK has so [...]

The post HGV driver shortage will grow to “crisis point” unless pay and conditions improve appeared first on Motor Transport.

The FTA has announced that it will change its name to Logistics UK from the end of May. The move comes as the organisation looks to achieve more for its members and change the way it is perceived by people outside the industry. "For people who don’t really know us, the name Logistics UK is modern, it’s impactful, it’s authoritative," FTA marketing and communications director Kevin Green told motortransport.co.uk. "But we’re not changing who we are or what we do. [...]

The post FTA to rebrand and become Logistics UK appeared first on Motor Transport.

The Unite union has strongly criticised plans to rely on a movable concrete barrier on the M20 to deal with cross channel disruption while ignoring the welfare needs of HGV drivers. It said the replacement of former traffic initiative Operation Brock with a new system was going ahead without consultation with the industry and with inadequate welfare provisions. The union quoted an “admission” from the Department for Transport in a Freedom of Information response that “in the event of severe [...]

The post New M20 barrier “ignores basic welfare needs of HGV drivers”, Unite claims appeared first on Motor Transport.

Local councils near the Severn Crossing are considering congestion charges to cope with rising traffic levels triggered by the scrapping of tolls on the bridge. According to the latest local transport plan from the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), "charging measures and controls" may have to be introduced to tackle congestion caused by the removal of tolls on the Severn Crossing in December 2018. Both the Welsh government and WECA - which includes Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol [...]

The post West of England councils mull congestion charges as traffic from toll-free Severn Crossing spikes appeared first on Motor Transport.

Essential, immersive and industry-focused – The Microlise Transport Conference continues to pack a punch... The event attracts the calibre of speaker that encourages laser-sharp industry debate and collaboration. Among the speakers that will take to the main stage on 20 May at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry will be Sir Peter Hendy, Network Rail chair and Caroline Hicks, head of the the National Enforcement Group at the DVSA. Hendy will provide delegates with the inside track on bridge strikes. This [...]

The post Network Rail chair and DVSA National Enforcement lead announced as first two speakers for Microlise Conference on 20 May appeared first on Motor Transport.

A movable concrete barrier on the M20 that can be set up "within hours" to keep Kent’s roads moving at times of cross-channel disruption will be on standby from later this year, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced today (Monday 17 February). Once a specialist vehicle is in place, Highways England will be able to deploy the barrier, helping ensure minimum disruption to traffic. The idea will be a "marked improvement to Operation Brock", a government spokesman said, which required a [...]

The post New M20 barrier will be marked improvement on Operation Brock, government insists appeared first on Motor Transport.

UK hauliers undertaking international work in the EU should prepare for the ending of cabotage from next year, according to the RHA. It is expected that the European Commission will disallow cabotage operations from UK companies in the EU from 1 January 2021 when the transition period ends. The RHA said this could change as a result of ongoing negotiations, but for now operators should assume cabotage will no longer be permitted from next year. Article 8 of Regulation 1072/2009 [...]

The post RHA urges UK hauliers to prepare for ending of cabotage appeared first on Motor Transport.

Hauliers are calling on the Welsh government not to follow England in creating “expensive” and “inflexible” clean air zones. The RHA made the call this week as officials from the National Assembly of Wales launched an inquiry into air quality. Chris Ashley, RHA environment and regulation policy chief is warning the Welsh Government against adopting similar “flawed” CAZ plans to England’s, which he says are forcing operators to upgrade trucks prematurely and putting firms out of business. Responding to the [...]

The post Don’t adopt England’s “inflexible” CAZ framework, RHA warns Wales appeared first on Motor Transport.

With the imminent crackdown on bogus self-employed workers in logistics, operators are being urged to act now to avoid significant disruption to their businesses. Despite the government’s announcement that it intends to review the proposed application of IR35 to the private sector, driver recruitment specialist Driver Require says operators should not to see this as a postponement or cancellation of the IR35 plans but for what it is: a review with no guaranteed outcome. Financial secretary to the Treasury Jesse [...]

The post Hauliers urged to prepare for roll out of IR35 to agency workers appeared first on Motor Transport.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has described the government’s decision to go ahead with high-speed rail link HS2 as a huge relief to the tipper sector but warned it will cause serious disruption to the wider transport and logistics industry. The work is expected to be completed by 2040 and will link London to Birmingham, and then Manchester and Leeds However, speaking to motortransport.co.uk, RHA head of technical services Malcolm Dodds said that although the news would ease long-standing uncertainty [...]

The post HS2 go-ahead good news for tipper sector but will badly disrupt local road network, RHA warns appeared first on Motor Transport.

Small businesses in transport and distribution are looking forward to “a new era of planning for sales growth” according to latest research, which claimed Brexit uncertainty had now been cast aside. Figures from Hitachi Capital Business Finance (HCBF) showed growth prospects for small firms in the sector had increased for the fourth successive quarter. Growth outlook had jumped to 34%, from 29% at the end of last year and those predicting contraction had fallen from 29% in the third quarter [...]

The post Small transport businesses can expect “new era of growth”, report claims appeared first on Motor Transport.

The logistics industry is calling for urgent action to prepare for a no-deal Brexit after the government confirmed this week that there will be trade barriers post-Brexit for both exports and imports. Speaking at a Cabinet Office event entitled Preparing Our Border for the Future Relationship, Michael Gove - the cabinet minister in charge of Brexit arrangements - told delegates there will be checks on food and animal products at the border and a need for customs declarations and safety [...]

The post “Urgent” government action needed to prepare for post-Brexit trade barriers, industry warns appeared first on Motor Transport.

Government plans for a national Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charging system that will not allow operators of non-Euro-6 trucks to automatically pay entry charges have been slammed as “anti-business, childish and unacceptable” by the RHA. The CAZ charging system is the brain child of the Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU), which is a joint venture between the DfT and DEFRA. CAZ charges will be applied to all trucks that do not meet Euro 6 standards and can be as high [...]

The post RHA slams CAZ national charging plans as “anti-business” and “childish” appeared first on Motor Transport.

Accreditation scheme FORS “isn’t fit for purpose”, with auditing processes that are no longer thorough enough, according to the traffic commissioner for the West of England, Kevin Rooney (pictured). Rooney’s comments at a recent compliance conference in Somerset appeared to reveal frustration among the traffic commissioners at FORS member companies attending public inquiries with inadequate auditing procedures. Rooney said: “FORS, as it is currently put together, isn’t fit for purpose. It is not doing what it was meant to do. [...]

The post “FORS not fit for purpose,” insists West of England traffic commissioner appeared first on Motor Transport.

The IVECO manufacturing facility in Ulm, Germany, is to be the production hub for the Nikola TRE battery electric and fuel-cell electric heavy-duty truck models. CNH Industrial brands IVECO and FPT took a $250m stake in Nikola last September. The announcement was followed in December with the unveiling of the Nikola TRE, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) heavy duty truck, which is the first step towards the fuel-cell electric (FCEV) model. The Ulm region has committed a substantial investment to [...]

The post Production hub revealed for Nikola TRE heavy-duty electric trucks appeared first on Motor Transport.

A new customer survey has revealed that 75% of transport planning professionals have seen increasing pressure to reduce their environmental impact in the last 12 months, yet two thirds (66%) believe that much more needs to be done to keep pace with public pressure for action. The annual Paragon survey was completed by more than 100 industry specialists and suggests that the greatest pressure for change is financial, with 56% of respondents highlighting added costs such as rising fuel prices. [...]

The post Transport industry failing on its green responsibilities, new report claims appeared first on Motor Transport.

The government must provide reassurance that cleaner lorries running on alternative fuels will last for at least 12 years if the industry is to decarbonise within the next 20 years, according to the RHA. Following an announcement this week that the UK has pulled forwards its ban on petrol and diesel cars and vans to 2035, business groups have warned that any shift to electric or alternatively fuelled vans and lorries will require a huge investment in overhauling the nation’s [...]

The post RHA demands alternatively fueled vehicles have at least 12-year lifespan after petrol and diesel ban is brought forward appeared first on Motor Transport.

The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) has partnered with charity Mates in Mind to improve the mental health of its workforce and members. Mates in Mind was established to tackle the challenges of mental ill-health specifically within the construction sector, but the tie-up comes amid plans to expand the support and services it offers to incorporate transport and logistics companies. Explained Martin Lockham, growth development manager at Mates in Mind: “After our successes within the construction sector, providing organisations with [...]

The post FORS partners with mental health charity Mates in Mind appeared first on Motor Transport.

The Minister of State for the Future of Transport, Mr George Freeman MP, will make an official visit to the inaugural Innovation & Technology in Transport (ITT Hub) at Farnborough International Conference & Exhibition Centre on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 May. The MP for Mid Norfolk, who was appointed to his current role in 2019, is responsible for decarbonisation, transport technology, innovation, devolution and connectivity. He will be visiting Farnborough International on Wednesday 13 May, the first day of [...]

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This year's CV Show is to tackle negative perceptions of the transport and logistics industry and its worsening skills shortage. The UK's largest CV expo takes place at the NEC in Birmingham on 28-30 April and, alongside leading driver training specialists, providers will showcase the ways in which any necessary qualifications can be gained. New data has revealed that up to 64% of UK transport and logistics companies are facing a severe skills shortage in the coming year with the [...]

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A breakdown in car MOT tests in Northern Ireland could hit HGV testing slots after the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) resorted to using heavy duty lanes in a bid to clear the backlog. The use of vehicle lifts in all test centres across the province has been suspended after inspections revealed widespread signs of cracking in the equipment. The DVA said opening hours have been extended “to increase capacity to facilitate the prioritisation of taxis and four-year-old vehicles with [...]

The post Northern Ireland MOT chaos may delay HGV tests appeared first on Motor Transport.

The current industry skills shortage may not be resolved by proposals to reduce the salary threshold for immigration after Brexit – because HGV drivers are generally paid more than £30,000, according to Talent in Logistics. Skilled migrants from outside the EU currently need to have a job offer with a minimum salary of £30,000, but in a report by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), it said this should fall to £25,600 for all workers to help recruit staff. Ruth Edwards, [...]

The post Post-Brexit salary threshold on immigration will lead to escalating skills shortage, government warned appeared first on Motor Transport.

A senior coroner is demanding DfT take action to warn HGV drivers, operators and truck manufacturers that tray tables placed on dashboards can lead to fatal accidents by creating dangerous blindspots. The call follows an inquest into the death of Dr. Suzanna Bull who died in 2017 when she was knocked off her bike and dragged under a 32-tonne Scania truck as it turned left in Birmingham city centre. The Coroners Court heard that the driver, Robert Bradbury, who was [...]

The post Senior coroner calls for drivers to be warned against using tray tables on truck dashboards appeared first on Motor Transport.

Plans to build an HGV parking area along the route of the Lower Thames Crossing have been dropped, in a move that has drawn criticism from the RHA and FTA. A further consultation into the construction of Britain’s longest road tunnel connecting Kent, Essex and Thurrock has launched, but key changes to the design of the road include removing a rest and service area and maintenance depot, as well as a junction at Tilbury. Highways England said the changes reflect [...]

The post Industry bodies slam move to scrap HGV parking area on route of Lower Thames Crossing appeared first on Motor Transport.

Paragon Software Systems has introduced a zoning tool in the latest version of its routing and scheduling software. Using 'Zone Editor', operators will now be able to automatically factor in geographic restrictions such as Low Emission Zones. The new functionality aims to allow geographic zones to be specified and stored within Paragon’s routing and scheduling software to help manage the increasing complexity of urban distribution plans. Transport planners will have the ability to create areas where low emission vehicles must [...]

The post Paragon Software Systems launches zoning tool to help operators navigate restricted areas appeared first on Motor Transport.

RHA chief executive Richard Burnett has called for better refuge areas and clearer signage on Smart motorways amid growing industry calls for the idea to be scrapped. BBC’s Panorama (27 January) revealed that 38 people had been killed on smart motorways in the last five years and ‘near misses’ on a section of the M25 had risen 20-fold since the hard shoulder was removed in April 2014. The government minister who approved the roll out of the system told the [...]

The post “Smart motorways need better refuge areas and clearer signage,” insists RHA appeared first on Motor Transport.

Decarbonising UK road transport at the rate required to achieve the government’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050 will require much greater emphasis on developing renewable bio and synthetic fuels for use in conventional internal combustion engines (ICE), according to the influential Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). In a new report, ‘Accelerating road transport decarbonisation’ the IMechE argues that while the development of battery electric vehicles (BEVs)will be important in the long term, this technology cannot replace ICE engines quickly [...]

The post Biofuels are quicker route to decarbonising road transport than battery electric appeared first on Motor Transport.

A new category for vans powered by clean alternative fuels - Clean Fleet Van of the Year - has been introduced by the Motor Transport Awards. While only 1% of the 311,000 vans under 3.5 tonnes sold last year were electric, there is a growing appetite among fleet operators for low emissions vehicles and this new award is for the clean van below 7.5 tonnes GVW that is leading the way from drawing board to volume sales. It can be powered [...]

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Operator demand for rented and leased commercial vehicles is on the rise driven by a “perfect storm” of factors including Brexit uncertainty, air quality legislation and the decline in traditional retail. According to a major report, published by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) this week, these pressures are undermining operator confidence in how and when to invest in their fleets, resulting in a shift to short-term solutions. The BVRLA’s 2020 Industry Outlook: Commercial Vehicles report – compiled [...]

The post Leasing deals on rise as operators delay fleet upgrades in face of economic uncertainty appeared first on Motor Transport.

Ensure free movement of trucks between the EU and UK after Brexit or face "significant disruption" to the economy, the logistics industry warned this week, following a government shift towards a hard Brexit. The calls from both FTA and RHA follow signs that the government is hardening its approach to Brexit and comments from Chancellor Sajid Javid that industry has had enough time to prepare. FTA policy director Elizabeth de Jong challenged his claims, saying the government had yet to [...]

The post Government drift towards hard Brexit unnerves logistics industry appeared first on Motor Transport.

The Energy Networks Association (ENA) has claimed hydrogen is the best alternative fuel option for HGV operators looking to cut carbon emissions and will play a major role in the future of heavy haulage. Speaking to motortransport.co.uk at the Westminster launch of a report by the Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce into the ‘electric vehicle transition’, ENA head of innovation Randolph Brazier (pictured) said: “One thing that didn’t come across today is that it’s not all about electrification. We represent the [...]

The post “Hydrogen makes more sense than electric for heavy haulage,” claims energy expert appeared first on Motor Transport.

The chronic lack of lorry parking sites in Kent has been raised in the House of Commons by an MP who urged the government to deliver on what it promised “long ago”. Dover MP Natalie Elphicke said lorries travelling through the port were the “beating heart of our national economy” and yet there were not enough truckstops to cater for the demand. She added that “making time for such a debate is not simply a matter of concern for the [...]

The post MP demands inquiry over Kent truckstop shortage appeared first on Motor Transport.

Lawyers are working on a High Court legal challenge calling for Smart motorways to be scrapped after two men were knocked down and killed at the roadside by an HGV. Solicitors at Irwin Mitchell said the safety of the all lanes running (ALR) initiative had been called into question several times and the number of deaths on these routes across the country was now “a major cause for concern". ALR is one of a suite of tools transport chiefs have [...]

The post Lawyers call for ban on Smart motorways after spate of fatal accidents appeared first on Motor Transport.

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that it has issued more than 8,000 HGV safety permits as part of the Direct Vision Standard since it launched last October. Freight operators are required to obtain a free permit, which is needed to be compliant with the scheme before enforcement begins on 26 October. The Direct Vision Standard seeks to tackle road danger at its source by minimising HGV blind spots. Based on how much a driver can see directly through their [...]

The post TfL urges operators to apply for HGV safety permit by 26 October to comply with new Direct Vision Standard appeared first on Motor Transport.

The organisers of ITT Hub 2020, the new event for innovation and technology in road based-transport, have announced that it will host a special area for government and non-governmental organisations that play a key role in the provision, regulation and development of current and future services across the whole sector. The event will take place at Farnborough International Conference & Exhibition Centre on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 May 2020 and the 'Government Hub' will feature various agencies in a [...]

The post ITT Hub 2020 to host government agencies that play key role in transport sector appeared first on Motor Transport.

Accompanied roll on/roll off (roro) traffic will grow to an 80% market share by 2050 if driverless HGVs replace much of the country’s conventional lorry and container transport, according to a white paper. Technical developments and commercial and environmental pressures over the next 30 years are expected to encourage freight operators to explore innovative ways to ship goods through ports. It would result in a growth in traffic through almost all of the ports in Britain, but particularly through the [...]

The post New research points to rapid rise of ‘driverless accompanied’ roro traffic appeared first on Motor Transport.

A well-regarded and vital truckstop in Coventry will shut its doors for the last time on 27 January. PJM Lorry Park, which has close links to all the major motorways, said its customers could park over the weekend of 25-26 January, but the site would need to be vacated by 5am the following day. PJM MD Paul Moore said: “It is with great regret that we are forced to close the lorry park due to circumstances beyond our control. “We’d [...]

The post PJM Lorry Park in Coventry to close appeared first on Motor Transport.

HGV drivers on board a roro ferry that rolled heavily in rough seas en route to Scotland ignored international regulations and stayed in their cabs, putting themselves and rescuers at risk. A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report highlighted the “industry-wide” issue of drivers remaining in their vehicles, after nine lorries toppled over on the P&O ferry as it sailed from Northern Ireland to Cairnryan on 18 December. The report also identified that the forecast weather conditions had not been [...]

The post HGV drivers in hot water after ferry accident exposes regulations breach appeared first on Motor Transport.

A quarter of operators have still not tapped into the potential of using telematics on their HGV fleets, according to new fleet management research commissioned by Motor Transport and Fraikin. Those reporting they did not use telematics at all on their trucks predominantly comprised smaller operators running up to five vehicles. Whereas at the largest end of the operator scale, 100% of those running 500 trucks or more deployed telematics systems to some degree. Operators reported a near 50:50 divide [...]

The post One-in-four operators still missing out on telematics efficiency gains, finds research appeared first on Motor Transport.

A Suffolk MP has held “positive discussions” with Highways England about regular closures of the Orwell Bridge on the A14, after local businesses said it was costing them £1m each time. The 40-year-old bridge carries 69,000 vehicles every day but high winds often lead to it being closed, impacting heavily on the local economy. It was forced to close again on two consecutive nights last week due to wind speeds in excess of 50mph. Paul Clement, CEO of business group [...]

The post Local MP demands answers from Highways England after Orwell Bridge closures branded “utterly ridiculous” appeared first on Motor Transport.

Click here to go to the download page. The past few years has seen a steep rise in the prominence of environmental and air quality issues within the mainstream political agenda, both in the UK and globally. And road transport must play a core role in this environmental battle. However, are the strategies put in place by government to reduce harmful road emissions the right ones? Do they go far enough? And what will the impact on UK businesses be, [...]

The post Clean Air Zone update 2020 appeared first on Motor Transport.

The FTA has launched a new supply chain consultancy arm which specialises in warehousing. The consultancy is run by industry experts Martin Palmer, Eddie de Jong and Paul Wilson (pictured, left to right), who are experienced logistics consultants. Services offered by the new team will include warehouse improvement and optimisation, including process mapping and review, manpower modelling, system assessments and cost evaluations, as well as a full warehouse design and automation service. This will include operational profiling, modelling for storage [...]

The post FTA launches warehousing and supply chain consultancy appeared first on Motor Transport.

Brigade Electronics is warning operators to be aware that TfL has changed the Direct Vision Standards on the positioning of sensors on articulated trucks. The changes were prompted by concerns that sensors fitted to articulated lorries could be triggered by the truck turning left rather than by the presence of a cyclist or pedestrian. The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) specification has been altered to make clear that that sensors on artic cabs must be “suitably positioned to provide sufficient coverage, [...]

The post Brigade Electronics sounds alarm at DVS specification changes appeared first on Motor Transport.

The Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Driver Apprenticeship is set to be torn up this summer and replaced with two new LGV Driver Apprenticeships, one of which will include the cat C+E licence for the first time, while the other will focus on urban driving skills and only include the cat C licence. The move, approved last month by the DfT and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE), the body that oversees apprenticeships, follows widespread criticism that the current [...]

The post LGV Driver Apprenticeship to be split in two for rigid and artic licences appeared first on Motor Transport.

Bath and North East Somerset Council has voted in favour of a £100 charge for non-Euro 6 HGVs entering the city's Clean Air Zone. The move has prompted RHA to warn the council that haulage firms will be put at risk by the move while the FTA said the charge will create a “stealth tax”. The warnings follow Bath and North East Somerset Council’s decision last week to charge non-Euro 6 buses, coaches and HGVs £100 to enter the CAZ, [...]

The post Hauliers face £100 Bath Clean Air Zone charge ‘stealth tax’ appeared first on Motor Transport.

Motor Transport is proud to announce a new collaboration which aims to improve the efficiency of transport planning. The UK’s leading news publisher for commercial fleet operators is bringing an innovative software solution to the sector. My Transport Planner is a unique, on-demand transport planning tool. It will enable organisations of all sizes to increase vehicle utilisation, cut costs and reduce emissions from road transport. Using the Software as a Service (SaaS) model, My Transport Planner is a pay-as-you-go solution, [...]

The post New partnership drives freight transport efficiency appeared first on Motor Transport.

Business leaders in Scotland have urged the government to follow through with its commitment to upgrade the A96 and A9 and ignore calls to abandon the investment in response to the climate emergency. They have written to cabinet secretaries Derek Mackay MSP and Michael Matheson MSP, to counter calls for the Scottish government to shelve investment in the two key routes to the North and North-East ahead of the next Budget. The Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) said everyone supported [...]

The post Upgrades to A96 and A9 must go ahead, Scottish business tells government appeared first on Motor Transport.

Manufacturers must provide definitive timelines about when they intend to make heavier electric vehicles (EVs) available to operators if widespread take-up of the technology is to become a reality, according to the FTA. It said that for a number of years it had urged vehicles makers to progress the development of EVs over 3.5-tonnes – as well as tippers and pickups – and yet its latest research revealed continuing frustration among fleet operators over the limited models available. The FTA [...]

The post Choice of electric vehicles still too limited, claim operators appeared first on Motor Transport.

Half of operators (49.6%) believe they will slash the CO2 emissions of their fleets by at least 15% by 2025, according to new research by conducted by Motor Transport and Fraikin. While nearly one-fifth (17.4%) believe they will be able to exceed the 15% voluntary CO2 reduction target set to industry by the government in its Road to Zero strategy. A further 30% felt it unlikely their fleets would succeed in the challenge, while a further one-fifth remained unsure. However [...]

The post Fleet operators optimistic they will slash own-fleet CO2 emissions 15% by 2025 appeared first on Motor Transport.

Caroline Hicks, head of the National Enforcement Group at the DVSA will provide a critical update on the Earned Recognition Scheme at the Microlise Transport Conference on 20 May. She will also explain how it enables the DVSA to target major cases of serial non-compliance among operators. Earned Recognition was first introduced in 2018 and is designed as a way to prove fleet operators meet driver and vehicle standards, by regularly sharing performance information with DVSA. As a result, vehicles [...]

The post DVSA to provide critical update on Earned Recognition Scheme at Microlise Transport Conference appeared first on Motor Transport.

Innovation & Technology in Transport Hub (ITT Hub) and the FTA have released full programme details for the FTA’s Future Logistics Conference that will be taking place on both days of the inaugural ITT Hub 2020 event in May this year. Organised in conjunction with strategic partner the Freight Transport Association and taking place in the heart of ITT Hub 2020 at Farnborough International, the FTA Future Logistics Conference will feature 45 sessions delivered by more than 100 industry-leading speakers [...]

The post Full details of FTA Future Logistics Conference at ITT Hub 2020 now online appeared first on Motor Transport.

Telematics provider Astrata has overhauled its commercial fleet software FleetVisor, giving users access to real time information. Astrata said its web-based solution now also gives customers “complete fleet management” and enables users the opportunity to immediately see where attention is required and to act quickly. Read more Discover the different approaches to tachographs and telematics adopted by CV operators Artificial intelligence will make big difference to road transport, predicts Samsara Teletrac Navman develops combined dashcam and telematics safety system FleetVisor [...]

The post Astrata upgrades FleetVisor software to offer “complete fleet management” appeared first on Motor Transport.

Sales of electric vans rose to 3,204 in 2019 according to the SMMT, but that is still just 1% of the total light van market last year. The top five electric vans were the Nissan NV200, Renault Kangoo and Kangoo Maxi, Peugeot Partner and LDV V80. The overall light van market under 3.5 tonnes GVW grew 2.4% to 311,103 last year while sales of heavy vans between 3.5 tonnes and 6 tonnes fell slightly to 8,695. The Ford Transit and [...]

The post Electric vans still only 1% of total UK light commercial sales in 2019 appeared first on Motor Transport.

The next mayor of London must recruit a “freight commissioner” in order to support the growing logistical demands of the capital, according to the FTA. With just a few months before Londoners get a chance to vote for a mayor for the next four years, the trade association said it was crucial that whoever takes on the role, they employ someone dedicated to overseeing the many freight-based initiatives in the pipeline. These include the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission [...]

The post Next London mayor needs “freight commissioner”, claims FTA appeared first on Motor Transport.

After a successful event in 2019, the Commercial Motor Golf Day is returning for 2020 on 9 July. Taking place at Lambourne Golf Club in Dropmore, Buckinghamshire, this golf challenge is open to a maximum of 25 teams of four (100 players). The format will be a four-ball full handicap Stableford competition. The best three individual Stableford scores per hole per team will count. “As well as a fantastic event, the Commercial Motor Truck Open is the perfect opportunity to [...]

The post Commercial Motor Golf Day 2020 is the perfect way to tee off networking opportunities appeared first on Motor Transport.

The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) is the first legislation of its kind. From 26 October 2020, all goods vehicles over 12 tonnes will require a permit to drive into Greater London, including vehicles from outside the UK. Enforced by Transport for London (TfL), the legislation is based on a ‘star rating’ indicating how much a driver can see from the cab in relation to other road users. The vehicle manufacturer will issue a star rating for your vehicle. This rating [...]

The post SPONSORED: All you need to know about the Direct Vision Standard coming into effect this year appeared first on Motor Transport.

A council in North Yorkshire is stepping up enforcement to stop HGVs parking overnight on an industrial estate, with companies as well as drivers warned they risk being fined. Hambleton District Council said its Public Space Protection Order on the Leeming Bar Industrial Estate, introduced last year, had led to a reduction in both lorries parking up and “incidents of anti-social behaviour”. In June 2019, 269 educational leaflets were issued to drivers and this had fallen to 170 by October. [...]

The post North Yorkshire council threatens fines over unauthorised overnight parking appeared first on Motor Transport.

A radar-based navigation system for HGVs that can operate anywhere and in any weather condition is set for release this year. The radar, vision and laser system has been developed by Navtech and autonomous vehicle software firm Oxbotica and can be used in both on-road and off-road environments, including quarries, mines and ports. The firms said it is not reliant on external infrastructure and can operate on its own or be fused with other location services driven by GPS, lidar [...]

The post Radar-based HGV navigation system will tackle ‘challenging environments’ appeared first on Motor Transport.

Businesses in Scotland have been warned that Extinction Rebellion (ER) is planning to target companies that fund and profit from the fossil fuel industry on 14 January. Police Scotland said the environmental movement had made it aware that it was planning “some form of protest activity” in Edinburgh, but that it had not provided specific locations, times or the level of activity. ER said the planned location would be outdoors, in a public place and targeted at private business but [...]

The post Extinction Rebellion to target Scottish businesses on 14 January appeared first on Motor Transport.

2020 will be a tipping point for haulage, with manufacturers and companies taking their environmental and road safety responsibilities seriously and embracing greener alternatives, according to the founder of Swedish startup Volta Trucks. Carl-Magnus Norden said that the introduction of the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) in London in October 2020 will put pressure on the industry to upgrade their fleets. But he also predicted that this pressure will be intensified by more UK cities following Bristol’s lead and announcing plans [...]

The post “Hauliers will come under even greater pressure in 2020,” predicts Volta Trucks founder Carl-Magnus Norden appeared first on Motor Transport.

Online retail sales exceeded £20bn last November and December for the first time, bolstering demand for warehousing space to cope with quick turnaround deliveries, according to real estate specialist Colliers International. It said that in the year to the end of September 2019, 55% of overall industrial lettings for warehouses over 100,000sq ft were for bespoke design and build hubs, to cater for the growth in fast shipping, boosted by online shopping. Colliers said provisional activity in the fourth quarter [...]

The post Growth in online retail sales driving spiralling demand for warehousing appeared first on Motor Transport.

The FTA has hailed new figures showing a dip in HGV greenhouse gas emissions as "a positive and encouraging step" in its bid to help the government achieve its proposed 15% reduction target by 2025. THE 2019 results from the FTA's Logistics Emissions Reduction Scheme (LERS) showed members of the voluntary group achieved a 4% reduction in their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions last year and decreased their average kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per vehicle km to 0.72, from [...]

The post New FTA research reveals 4% drop in HGV greenhouse gas emissions during 2019 appeared first on Motor Transport.

The UK government has ratified the Electronic Customer Relationship Management (e-CRM) protocol, allowing national and international transports from and to the UK to be achieved with digital consignment notes. The agreement comes after a successful international pilot project with Dutch e-CRM platform TransFollow, West Yorkshire-based haulier Brian Yeardley Continental under the supervision of the UK Ministry of Transport and industry associations such as the FTA. By agreeing to the protocol, the UK will allow the use of e-CMRs as 'a [...]

The post UK ratifies digital consignment notes after pilot project with Brian Yeardley Continental appeared first on Motor Transport.

The DVSA has given management software firm Convey Technology the seal of approval to supply Earned Recognition (ER) technology to fleet operators. The IT firm said its suite of compliance products enable companies to gather, analyse and interpret compliance data that fall within the requirements of the ER standard. Convey now includes ER dashboards and reporting as a standard feature, as well as “an intuitive multi-level graphical drill-down feature". It explained that this allows operators to view and benchmark their [...]

The post Convey Technology to supply Earned Recognition essentials to fleet operators appeared first on Motor Transport.

The 34th Motor Transport Awards will return to the Grosvenor House Hotel in London's Park Lane on 1 July 2020 to celebrate, recognise and reward excellence in the road freight transport industry. What makes the Motor Transport Awards so valued by the winners is the fact that they are judged by senior independent figures within the transport industry. For more than 30 years, the Motor Transport Awards have been seen as a benchmark for excellence among UK road transport fleet [...]

The post Motor Transport Awards 2020 open for entries appeared first on Motor Transport.

Sir Peter Hendy CBE, chair of Network Rail, is to explain how the organisation is working to reduce bridge strikes in an address to the Microlise Transport Conference on 20 May 2020. The former Commissioner of Transport for London is one of the first confirmed speakers at the event, to be held at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry. There are an estimated 2,000 bridge strikes annually across the UK, each costing an average of £13,500 in train delays and bridge [...]

The post Network Rail chair Sir Peter Hendy to address bridge strikes at Microlise Transport Conference appeared first on Motor Transport.

The government has announced funding for four British biofuel plants as part of its Transport Decarbonisation Plan which aims to deliver net-zero carbon emissions in the UK by 2050. Two of the new biofuel projects are being funded under the government’s £20m Future Fuels for Flight and Freight Competition. KEW Projects and Rika Biogas have been awarded a share of £6.5m to build plants that will provide green fuel for heavy goods vehicles. The project at KEW projects will also [...]

The post Government funds four biofuel plants as part of Transport Decarbonisation Plan appeared first on Motor Transport.

After a successful event in 2019, the Commercial Motor Golf Day is returning for 2020 on 9 July. Taking place at Lambourne Golf Club in Dropmore, Buckinghamshire, this golf challenge is open to a maximum of 25 teams of four (100 players). The format will be a four-ball full handicap Stableford competition. The best three individual Stableford scores per hole per team will count. “As well as a fantastic event, the Commercial Motor Truck Open is the perfect opportunity to [...]

The post Commercial Motor Golf Day 2020 is a must-attend event appeared first on Motor Transport.

The FTA has hit out at plans for a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) in Oxford, which it claims are "effectively a tax on trucks and vans in areas of the city". It is calling for Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council to reconsider their strategy until zero-emission commercial vehicles become a viable alternative for local businesses. The scheme could be rolled out by December this year and will focus on an interim 'Red Zone' which will cover a small [...]

The post Oxford Zero Emission Zone “a tax on trucks”, claims FTA appeared first on Motor Transport.

Three-quarters of operators (74.5%) say managing a commercial fleet has become more stressful in the past few years, according to brand-new research conducted by Fraikin, Motor Transport and Commercial Motor. Managing drivers, handling compliance and pressure to reduce costs were all cited as key stress factors. More than half (53%) also revealed that fleet assets are being used more intensively today than they were three years ago, with a significant 70.4% finding it a struggle to fill driver vacancies in [...]

The post New Fraikin research drills into key challenges and trends in fleet management today appeared first on Motor Transport.

The FTA has welcomed the "clarity and direction" that the General Election result has provided to businesses planning for Brexit. However, it has warned that without the passing of the Withdrawal Agreement through parliament, there is still the risk of a no-deal departure from the EU on 31 January 2020, which it claimed "could bring chaos to the supply chain and the industry which relies on it". Speaking after news that Boris Johnson's Conservative Party has gained a parliamentary majority [...]

The post ‘We still risk the chaos of a no-deal Brexit,’ FTA warns appeared first on Motor Transport.

The RHA has congratulated Prime Minister Boris Johnson on his General Election victory but urged him to work with the freight and logistics trade on "a number of key issues of vital importance to member companies". "Over the past three years we have highlighted the risks and impacts of whatever Brexit approach is taken," said RHA CEO Richard Burnett (pictured). "Enough time to implement and transition to any new arrangements for customs, lorry access regulations and labour is essential to [...]

The post ‘Let’s tackle the key issues together,’ RHA tells new government appeared first on Motor Transport.

Trevor Milton (pictured), CEO of Nikola Motor Company, has accused OEM truck giants of putting the brakes on the switch to zero emissions but warned them that the days of diesel are “dying pretty quick”. Speaking to motortransport.co.uk following the release of new data by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) showing that 98.3% of all heavy and medium trucks on Europe’s roads still run on diesel, he admitted he had become infuriated by the “arrogance” of the OEMs he [...]

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Nearly three-quarters (70.4%) of operators struggle to fill their HGV driver vacancies some or all of the time, according to new research just published by motortransport.co.uk. Meanwhile, more than half (51.6%) of operators do not think Driver CPC has added any value to their business since its introduction to the UK 10 years ago. However nearly one-quarter of operators (23.5%) do feel it has made their drivers safer on the road and a further one-fifth felt Driver CPC had provided [...]

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Aggregate Industries (AI) has defended its decision to apply a rate increase only to its franchise hauliers after the move was criticised by an external haulage contractor. In a letter to hauliers in the company’s northern region, AI said it had chosen to “only apply an increase to the franchise vehicles as recognition of the ever increasing safety specification, engagement and investment required by the franchise agreement". From 1 January it will apply a minimum inflationary increase to mileage rates [...]

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FairFuelUK has welcomed news that prime minister Boris Johnson has publicly committed to freezing fuel duty for the 10th successive year. The pressure group represents small businesses and hauliers across the UK and reacted to the news with "a huge sigh of relief as there was no mention of this levy’s future in his manifesto". However, it warned that operators would be "hit hard" with a tax hike of 16% if Jeremy Corbyn - "the anti-motorist's Sword of Damocles" - [...]

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A guide to brake testing for operators struggling to understand their reports has been produced to cut through “engineering jargon”. The FTA said its members’ guide will help readers understand how brake performance is calculated and what else they should be looking out for. Phil Lloyd, FTA head of engineering and vehicle standards policy, said: “Transport managers without an engineering background should understand that even though a report says ‘pass’ there may still be issues that need to be considered.” [...]

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Although truck sales in the second half of 2019 will be significantly lower than the first half, Renault Trucks expects this year to finish on 47,000 units, 9% ahead of 2018.  Speaking to journalists last week, commercial director James Charnock said Brexit had “distorted” the UK market, with two large pre-buys in the first half of 2019, but November sales were still 14% up year on year. Renault expects the market in 2020 to be smaller though Charnock said next [...]

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Brigade Electronics has launched a Direct Vision Standard (DVS) star rating checker service to help fleet operators following the introduction of new regulations in London. The banning of HGVs with a zero-star rating - based on how much the driver can see from the vehicle’s cab - is only the start of the ambitious Direct Vision Standard for London, Brigade explained. It believes many fleet operators and logistics businesses could fall foul of the star-rating regulations when one- and two-star [...]

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South West traffic commissioner Kevin Rooney (pictured) will be the keynote speaker at a conference for transport and logistic operators, organised by Pro Tect Solutions. The event, on Friday 24 January 2020, will be hosted by Barry Hood, director of Pro Tect Solutions, a consultancy and membership organisation. Also speaking is Andrew Ball, a DVSA traffic enforcement manager, and Howard Cox, from FairFuelUK. Hood said: “It’s an opportunity to direct the right questions to the right people and learn about [...]

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The National Grid is ready to overcome the challenges of recharging large volumes of electric vehicles and so range anxiety need not be a barrier to the widespread adoption of low emissions vehicles,  according to Carl Bayliss, project director – electric vehicles at National Grid. Speaking at the FT Future of Mobility Summit in London this week, Bayliss said he was often asked if “the grid” could cope with charging the expected volume of electric vehicles as the UK heads [...]

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Truck turnaround times at the Port of Liverpool have fallen after owner Peel Ports said it had turned its focus to road haulage efficiencies. It said October was a “record-breaking” month for its container operations with quayside and landside throughput exceeding all previous figures with year-on-year growth of 12%. The port also said turnaround times for hauliers is now consistently below 40 minutes. David Huck, Peel Ports MD said: “More businesses are realising that it makes more sense to ship [...]

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Network Rail has insisted there is no excuse for HGV drivers not to know the height of their vehicles and it will support regulatory action against companies that are involved in bridge strikes. The rail network operator said its own research found 52% of lorry drivers do not take low bridges into account when route planning and 43% admitted that they did not measure their vehicle. In the last year alone, it said almost 2,000 instances of vehicles hitting railway [...]

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Protecting the seamless movement of goods after Brexit, boosting driver facilities, expanding Heathrow and helping hauliers decarbonise; the FTA has handed its own election manifesto to the main political parties. The trade association said the industry was determined to meet the government’s target of becoming zero-emission but it would not be achieved without the right support. It has called for the next government to actively support and develop the alternatively-fuelled vehicle market so that businesses of all sizes can transition [...]

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Commercial EV company Tevva has welcomed a technological breakthrough in the US which enables rapid charging of batteries, potentially adding 200 miles of driving time. Scientists said they have discovered a way for vehicle batteries to take in 400Kw of energy in just 10 minutes, overcoming a major hurdle currently surrounding electric vehicles. “We demonstrated that we can charge an electrical vehicle in ten minutes for a 200 to 300 mile range,” said Chao-Yang Wang, professor of materials science and [...]

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Road signage will be eliminated in less than a decade as self-driving vehicles emerge and digital infrastructure is built, according to the UK’s umbrella organisation for self-driving technology, Zenzic. So-called “naked highways” will become a feature of the road network from 2027, according to Zenzic, which also said new planning guidance and blueprints for connected and automated mobility (CAM) ready cities, towns, highways and rural roads will become available from early next year. Zenzic said the physical evolution and decommissioning [...]

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CNG Fuels has announced plans to become the UK’s first supplier of renewable biomethane from cow manure for lorries, to help operators achieve net zero emissions. The company said it was also consulting on how its network of refuelling stations can accommodate low carbon and battery electric technologies for HGVs, for when these become commercially viable. John Lewis has already committed to replacing its fleet of 500-strong diesel trucks with biomethane fuelled alternatives by 2028 and Hermes also intends to [...]

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Truck registrations over 6 tonnes fell 13.1% to 8,557 in Q3 2019 as the market “rebalanced” after higher than usual sales in H1, according to the SMMT. However 3-axle tractor units remained popular, with sales down only 2.5% to 3,623. The big losers were rigid trucks below 16 tonnes, with volumes down 28.5% to just 1,507. H1 sales were artificially inflated as buyers sought to avoid proposed import duties ahead of the original Brexit deadline of March 31 and beat [...]

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The FTA has slammed the government for breaking its vow to improve and expand the number of toilet facilities for HGV drivers on the national road network. The criticism follows an FTA survey which revealed that almost all respondents believe toilet facilities have not improved since the government pledged to upgrade them 18 months ago, with some drivers claiming they had become worse. Speaking on the UN World Toilet Day (19 November) Elizabeth de Jong, UK policy director, said many [...]

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New research by Rivus Fleet Solutions and the AA has revealed that, while fleet managers accept the need to move towards an alternatively fuelled future, many are continuing to invest in “more cost-effective” Euro-6 diesel vehicles. In a survey of 500 car and light CV fleet decision makers for the latest Operational Fleet Insight Report, researchers found the remaining barriers were cost, charging location, charging time and driver training. A “wait and see” attitude remained prevalent, the report said, although [...]

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Midlands Expressway, which operates the M6 Toll, has joined forces with police to target HGV drivers in a bid to improve their driving skills. The safety campaign focuses on the five most common offences on UK roads, which are tailgating, using a mobile phone or tablet while driving, stopping or reversing on a motorway, parking on the hard shoulder, and not using mirrors correctly. The programme is supported by literature and a video to help raise HGV driver awareness. The [...]

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A two-year trial of biomethane-powered trucks has seen well-to-wheel CO2 emissions slashed by over 1,400 tonnes and trial drivers rating the trucks higher on comfort than their diesel equivalents. The Dedicated to Gas project, funded by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles and Innovate UK, saw Howard Tenens, Kuehne + Nagel and Asda run a total of 20 Euro-6 trucks on biomethane. Other trial partners included Cenex, Air Liquide, Emissions Analytics and Microlise. The trial found that the trucks, which [...]

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The FTA has announced that the Safe Loading Pass Scheme (SLPS) is to be extended to cover Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) from 1 January 2020. From this date, any vehicle wishing to load LPG at participating terminals must be inspected under the SLPS when their existing pass expires. Managed by the FTA, the SLPS identifies the vehicles and trailers that meet the safety standards required for admittance to fuel and gas loading terminals. The scheme is recognised by members of [...]

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Outsourcing of vehicle repairs is now industry’s preferred choice when it comes to maintaining their HGVs, according to the latest survey produced by Motor Transport and sister title Commercial Motor. Nearly two-thirds (60%) of operators surveyed chose to send vehicles off-site for repair, with one-third of those picking main dealerships as their preferred option. The research also highlighted that larger operators would be more likely to opt for a main dealership, while smaller businesses would be more likely to pick [...]

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