TfL has been criticised by the FTA for introducing a number of significant changes to the cyclist safety equipment requirements under its Fors accreditation scheme without a consultation or a formal announcement.   

The changes, which came into effect last month, introduce a requirement at bronze level for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW to have blind spot warning signs to their rear; side under-run protection on both sides, even for vehicles exempt under construction and use regulations; and Class VI mirrors. Previously, bronze Fors included no specific requirement for cyclist safety equipment.

At silver level, fleets are now required to ensure that all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW have front, side and rear blind spots eliminated or minimised via a combination of direct

and indirect vision aids and driver audible alerts.

Previously, silver Fors required only the fitment of sideguards or a blind spot warning system to vehicles otherwise exempt from sideguard requirements. There is no additional requirement at gold level, which previously called for all 18-tonne-plus trucks travelling in urban areas to be fitted with a close-proximity blind spot warning system.

FTA head of urban logistics policy Christopher Snelling told MT this week it was “unfortunate” the changes had been made without consultation and added that the changes at silver level – which mirror the requirements of the separate Clocs construction logistics standard – were not really appropriate for the general HGV sector.

One example is the reduction in gross vehicle weight at which close-proximity blind spot warning systems are required, down from the 18 tonnes-plus previously specified by gold Fors to all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes in new silver Fors. “We don’t think that’s necessary or appropriate,” said Snelling.

Award winning

However, Ian Wainwright, head of freight and fleet at TfL, said: “Fors is now an award-winning scheme, and in line with United Kingdom Accreditation Services, requirements the standard is reviewed every two years. This ensures best practices are maintained and improved. Fors was updated in October after a 90 day notice period and this update will create more consistent standards across the industry, as desired by operators.”

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