FTA's Truck and Van Excellence schemes approved by TfL as alternative to Fors bronze

The FTA has had its Truck and Van Excellence audits approved by TfL as meeting the latter’s work-related road risk (WRRR) requirements, a status previously held only by Fors.

Previously hauliers wishing to work on TfL contracts had to be Fors bronze or equivalent accredited to meet the WRRR requirements.

The association is calling the extended audits, which include additional items to meet the WRRR requirements, Truck/Van Excellence +TfL.

James Hookham, deputy chief executive at the FTA, said the schemes were first presented to TfL last March after it granted the Fors concession to the Fors Community Partnership (FCP) and were driven by demand. “Our schemes will make it cheaper for members to get the accreditation they require,” he said.

However, the FCP has since issued a statement that “Fors wants to make it clear that the FTA does not provide anything that is equivalent to the Fors scheme”.

FCP also said it intends to freeze the FTA’s role on the Fors governance committee, for now, as “organisations developing competing schemes are not allowed to be on the committee”. It said: “The FTA won’t be attending the governance committee until we are clearer on its position regarding Fors.”

The FTA wants to continue as part of the governance group, which is tasked with developing the Fors scheme.

Hookham added that the FTA has no plans to offer silver or gold Fors equivalents through the excellence schemes but will develop audits to coincide with the DVSA’s forthcoming earned recognition initiative.

By Louise Cole