Haulage News & Transport News

The LCRS awards, launched in September will be presented at FTA’s Cutting Carbon, Cutting Costs Conference to be held in May with the entry deadline being extended to Friday 22 February, the awards have been developed to celebrate the efforts of green leaders in the freight industry along with individual LCRS members attempts also being recognised.

With the number of reported drivers’ hours offences dropping by 47% and reported tacho offences falling by 52% since the introduction of graduated fixed penalties in 2009, a spokesman for the Office of the Traffic Commissioner (TCs) said the TCs were pleased to see that Vosa’s legislative changes seemed to be “delivering real improvements in compliance levels.”

Due to the current wintery weather, the Department for Transport (DFT) has temporary relaxed drivers’ hours and working time rules for drivers delivering heating fuel and will run until 23.59 on Thursday (31 January) but is only applicable to drivers delivering kerosene and gas oil to domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes.

The Transport Select Committee hearing on the subject of 'European Land Transport Security,' which took place on Monday 21 January, was a welcome opportunity for the Freight Transport Association to voice on behalf of its members its views in key areas which affect the freight industry on a day-to-day basis

Treacherous road conditions thanks to snow and ice have already been causing chaos for drivers across parts of England and Wales over the past few days prompting FTA to warn its members to watch the weather and plan journeys accordingly.

The Road Haulage Association has welcomed the report published today by road safety campaign group Brake which highlights the inescapable fact that people who drive for a living are risking both their own life as well as those of other road users by texting, grooming and speeding while behind the wheel.

As part of the European Citizen’s Initiative (ECI), a push to introduce a mandatory 20mph speed limit within all urban areas across the European Union has been launched online.

In a bid to ensure we have up to date, accurate timings, VOSA has commissioned a work measurement study of Heavy Goods and Public Service Vehicle Annual testing.  The last time VOSA carried out timing exercises was in 2006 and 2008.

The UK weather outlook for this week is cold and wintery.
 

The Freight Transport Association has published the 51st edition of its much respected Yearbook of Road Transport Law, the indispensable guide to road transport legislation, which is sponsored by Shell. The Yearbook is designed to keep operators fully aware of all aspects of road transport legislation, is presented in a clear and concise way, and also includes information on other relevant areas, such as employment and health and safety.

The logistics achievements throughout the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been heralded as a ‘national success story’ by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and Transport for London (TfL), with teamwork being recognised at the heart of Olympics legacy for the freight industry.

HIGHWAYS AGENCY News Release issued 2 January 2013
Wednesday 2 January – Sunday 6 January 2013
A traffic management summary for both new and ongoing work
The information provided in this report is correct as of the above date but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

Although the sites themselves will not close, VOSA has taken the decision to cease testing at its Gillingham and Grantham sites by the end of March 2013. 

The Road Haulage Association is encouraged to note from the figures published today by the Department for Transport; Transport Statistics 13 December 2012 that despite the economic downfall suffered by both business and households in 2011, the number of registered heavy goods vehicles operating on UK roads fell by only 5,600.

The 10 year Business Plan set out by the Mayor of London has been approved by the Transport for London board.

A package of measures promised as part of the Red Tape Challenge were launched for consultation by Roads Minister Stephen Hammond last week.

A £390,000 Scheme to light up lanes on the M6 with solar-powered cat’s eyes has now been completed.

Issuing fresh new warnings over drink driving, THINK! and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) are joining forces this Christmas.

The Freight Transport Association has welcomed the Chancellor's decision to cancel January's 3p per litre fuel duty increase, but is disappointed that he did not go further and abandon all planned rises before the next election and move to reduce fuel duty by 3p a litre.

The problem that saw digital tachograph cards start to collectively fail in March has been solved claims DVLA.

The Road Haulage Association is pleased to announce its plan to fund the appointment of a member of staff to support the work of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Freight Transport.

Experts are warning that there are likely to be O-licence losses following unreturned Transport Manager Questionnaires.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has welcomed news that the Government is to introduce major improvements to the way road schemes are planned and built.

Although 92% of drivers check their tyres before each new journey they make, only 38% of LGV drivers know the correct minimum legal tread depth for their truck’s tyres.

Last week saw The Freight Transport Association at the House of Commons participating in a 'Select Committee' style inquiry in the latest campaigning exercise carried out by the All-Party Group on Fair Fuel, to highlight the impact of January's planned fuel duty increase.