Sir Peter Hendy hinted at last month’s Clocs progress event that TfL was poised to step up its enforcement against uncompliant operators by launching a new joint intelligence unit with the Metropolitan Police.
It is envisaged the initiative will go live next month, and should complement the actions of the joint TfL, DfT, DVSA and police Industrial HGV Task Force (IHTF) already in operation in the capital, with full details of the scheme to follow in the coming weeks.
“I'm determined that the activities are targeted at people that deserve to be targeted and not spread like butter across a piece of bread,” said Hendy of the new scheme. “If you are a legitimate operator with a good record with DVSA and good systems, you should be left to get on with your business. It's the people that aren't who should be relentlessly hounded.”
He added that the IHTF was proving very successful at both removing unsafe operators from London’s roads, as well as creating a level playing field for those firms doing their upmost to ensure their fleets are fully compliant.
In the 15 months to January, Hendy said that 4,000 vehicles were stopped, over 1,000 fixed penalty notices and more than 2,000 PG9s were issued and a “whole stream” of operators were due to appear in front of the TCs with their licences under threat. “I know we are making a difference,” he added.
“We are going to carry on with the initiative, particularly where large quantities of building projects are taking place,” Hendy announced. “I'm talking with Battersea Power and the developers in the area. The teams are starting to go down Vauxhall and Nine Elms one day every four weeks. In the first event, I think 12 out of 15 tippers were straight off the road with PG9s. The news is growing. And the developers themselves are interested in being good neighbours.”