Road safety, compliance and enforcement when delivering into the capital are set to be key topics tackled at the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) Managing Freight in London conference next week.

The event, on Tuesday 2 June at the Kia Oval, will cover challenges facing freight operators in the next two to three years, from the development of cycle superhighways, to retrofitting safety equipment, lowering emissions and penalty charge notices.

It will also discuss the role of schemes such as the Freight Operator Recognition Scheme (Fors) and the Construction Logistics Cyclist Safety scheme (Clocs).

Rob Beckers of the Metropolitan Police Commercial Vehicle Unit will be leading a session on HGV enforcement and infringements. He said: “At the conference, I will be briefing attendees about how our enforcement works, the most typical mistakes these operators are making as well as the extreme examples of criminal behaviour. This is part of our efforts to work with the logistics industry to raise standards and ensure all vehicles and drivers on London’s roads are being operated the way they should be.”

The session will also address the detail of the upcoming London Safer Lorry Scheme and how it will be enforced.

A Metropolitan Police Exchanging Places event will also take place the evening before the conference, whereby cyclists are able to experience an HGV driver’s view of the road.

The scheme has seen more than 18,000 cyclists take part to date, with 97% saying they will change their riding as a result and 99% offering to recommend it to a friend.

London transport commissioner Sir Peter Hendy will make the key note address at the conference. “It is impossible to underestimate the importance of freight in the capital as without it London could not function,” he said.

Hendy added: “The capital’s roads are facing new pressures, with a population set to reach

10 million by 2030 and infrastructure changes to meet resident and business demands. As we face these changes, we’re pleased to support the FTA as it works with its members and the industry to understand and address these challenges.”

Chaired by FTA chief executive David Wells, delegates will also hear from Westminster City Council; cyclist training body Bikeability, operators, customers and FTA policy experts.

The Managing Freight in London Conference, sponsored by Transport for London, takes place on Tuesday 2 June at The Kia Oval, Kennington, London SE11. For further information or to book a place go to http://www.fta.co.uk/events/managing_freight_in_london_conference_2015.html

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