News Archives | Page 1109 of 1110

Orwell Truck & Van open new ATF in Ipswich

February 12, 2012 Motor Transport

East Anglia’s Mercedes-Benz dealer Orwell Truck & Van has spent £600,000 on a new VOSA-approved Authorised Test Facility (ATF). The dedicated lane is at Orwell’s headquarters on the Martlesham Heath Business Park, Ipswich. Service director Steve Webb says: “We have always prepared vehicles for MoT testing. But the big advantage for customers is that they can now have those tests carried out in our workshop, negating the need for a time-consuming trip to a VOSA site. “Tests can also be […]

Industry News

Imperial purchases four Watts Truck Centre sites in West Country

February 12, 2012 Motor Transport

Imperial Commercials expands its operation with a share acquisition of four sites belonging to DAF Trucks dealer Watts Truck Centre.

International

Danes have appetite for night-time deliveries

October 24, 2011 Laura Hailstone

The state of the global economy and its subsequent effect on public spending, together with the environmental imperative that has made carbon reduction a top priority certainly hasn’t hindered the progress of night-time deliveries in Europe. There is an increasing appetite on the Continent for this simple win-win solution, which improves efficiency, environmental performance and seems to have no drawbacks. It was with a sense of pride that I, along with the Noise Abatement Society (NAS), the DfT, Transport and […]

Night-time proves the right time to deliver

August 13, 2011 Laura Hailstone

A throw-away comment from a truck driver about night-time deliveries last week summed up perfectly one of the reasons why delivering out-of-hours makes a lot of sense. “Night-time deliveries are f***ing great; there’s no idiots getting in your way on the streets,” this driver called to his mate as I walked past him incognito. I was having a snoop around various parts of London during the twilight hours last week, accompanied by the MD of the Noise Abatement Society and […]

Silent night

July 11, 2011 Laura Hailstone

If a retailer wants to consider handling deliveries outside the traditional peak delivery window, there are numerous hoops to jump through and, until now, the potential benefits have not seemed worthwhile. But the results of the DfT-funded Quiet Delivery Demonstration Scheme (QDDS) trials have shown there are a significant number of benefits available – both commercial and environmental. Faster round-trip journey times; reduced vehicle turnaround times at stores; better fuel consumption from less time spent stationary, idling in congestion; improved […]

Improving delivery times on the quiet

July 4, 2011 Laura Hailstone

Reduced fuel consumption, reduced round trip times, improved shift productivity, reduced store turnaround times, increased product availability, less congestion, better air quality, reduced carbon emissions – all are proven benefits that out-of-hours deliveries can provide. Yet many local authorities are reluctant to give the green light to out-of-hours deliveries for fear of upsetting local residents – and it takes only one complaint to upset the apple cart. Also, many retailers inherit statutory planning conditions put in place years ago when […]

Night-time deliveries can save fuel and CO2

July 4, 2011 Laura Hailstone

Operators can reduce their fuel bills and lower their carbon emissions if they are allowed to make out-of-hours deliveries. The results of the Quiet Deliveries Demonstration Scheme (QDDS) trials, unveiled last week, show a raft of operational benefits as well as wider gains for local communities. Developed jointly by the FTA, the Noise Abatement Society, and the DfT, the QDDS involved trials at six sites belonging to Tesco, Superdrug, Asda, Morrisons, Marks & Spencer, and Sainsbury’s. Although only four of […]

Quiet deliveries

Love thy neighbour

March 28, 2011

As noise complaints about operators increase, Roger Brown looks at ways to keep local residents happy Road transport can be a noisy business, and operators could be vulnerable to noise complaints from nearby residents and businesses. However, experts tell MT that many noise disturbance problems with neighbours can be tackled if firms adopt a two- pronged approach: better training for drivers and greater investment in noise reduction technology. Behavioural changes According to Natalie Chapman, FTA head of policy for the […]

DBC opts for DAFs with quiet fridges

April 12, 2010 Laura Hailstone

DBC Foodservice has taken delivery of 35 dual-compartment 12- and 18-tonne DAF LF55 220’s from Ryder to deliver frozen food to high street restaurants and cafés. DBC has taken the vehicles on a contract-hire basis because they run a Frigoblock refrigeration system. This is powered by the truck’s engine, reducing the noise associated with self-powered refrigeration units and enabling early or late deliveries in residential areas. The firm operates from 14 sites throughout the UK. Customers include Caffè Nero, Gourmet […]

Silent night trials to take place in 2010

December 3, 2009 Laura Hailstone

The Noise Abatement Society (NAS) has confirmed that it will be conducting six night-time delivery trials across the UK in 2010 in partnership with the DfT and the FTA. The trials will assess the potential benefits of out-of-hours deliveries for operators and any negative impacts on local residents. Lisa Lavia, MD at the NAS, says the locations for the night-time trials will only be decided in early 2010. Currently curfews vary from council to council and on a store-by-store basis […]