Industry news – Page 173
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MT Article
Campaigners to launch legal challenge to smart motorway programme
A campaign group is also seeking a judicial review of the government’s decision to introduce smart motorways.It has appointed Yogi Amin, human rights lawyer and partner at Irwin Mitchell to pursue the case and has raised almost £10,000 of the £20,000 it needs to fund the case on crowdfunding site ...
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MT Article
Visit the CV Show 2020 to learn about the future of road transport
Motor Transport has teamed with the CV Show to bring visitors to the show a Future Transport Theatre to examine some of the big issues facing road transport.Taking place on every day of the show which runs from April 28 to 30 at the Birmingham NEC, the Future Transport Theatre ...
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MT ArticleNo 11th hour U-turn on IR35, HMRC review confirms
Hopes for an 11th hour U-turn on IR35 have been dashed this week after an HMRC review confirmed that the proposed tax changes - which could see driver agency rates leap by 20% - will go ahead from April.The IR35 review, dubbed Review of Changes to the Off-payroll Working Rules, ...
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MT Article
Government reviews £25bn Roads Programme following Heathrow ruling
The government’s £25bn Roads Programme is facing delays while the DfT reappraises the strategy in the light of the recent Court of Appeal ruling on plans to expand Heathrow.The review could result in some major road schemes, including plans to expand the Smart Motorway programme, delayed or scrapped altogether.The five-year ...
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MT ArticleFORS seeks clarification from Traffic Commissioner over audit criticism
Kevin RooneyFORS – the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme – has contacted the Traffic Commissioner (TC) for the west of England, Kevin Rooney, to "seek clarification on comments that its audits had on occasion fallen short of a diligent, high-standard process"."Remarks published in recent press reports suggest that a FORS member ...
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MT ArticleAS24 launches tracker to combat trailer theft
HGV service provider AS24 has launched a low-power tracker to combat trailer theft.The 'FindIT' device has been developed after an ONS study revealed that thefts involving transport companies increased by 7% last year.The new battery-powered technology features a "low-cost box", which can be fitted in five minutes, the company said.The ...
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MT ArticleMichelin to raise £25,000 for Transaid through cycle challenge sponsorship
Michelin has pledged to fundraise £25,000 for charity Transaid after renewing its membership with the international development organisation.The renewal extends a relationship that began when Transaid was founded by Save the Children, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) in 1998.Michelin intends to fundraise the money in cycle challenge ...
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MT ArticleManston Airport owners mull freight route to London via Ramsgate Port and Thames
A plan to transport freight from Manston Airport to the capital by electric vehicle to Ramsgate Port and onwards to London via the River Thames is being discussed by The Port of London Authority (PLA) and airport owners RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP).RSP is currently applying for a development consent order ...
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MT ArticleMalcolm Group driver trainer completes Transaid HGV placement in Tanzania
John Heirs, driver training & compliance manager with Malcolm Group, has returned to the UK after completing his third voluntary placement supporting Transaid’s Professional Driver Training Project with the National Institute of Transport (NIT) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.The project aims to reduce the number of road crashes and fatalities ...
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MT ArticleDfT holding back benefits of longer semi trailers, claims FTA
The government should make the use of longer semi-trailers (LSTs) a permanent fixture on the UK’s roads following the successful outcome of its trial, according to the FTA.The DfT funded study demonstrates that use of these vehicles continues to have a significant impact on the reduction of carbon emissions and ...
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MT ArticleRHA chief executive to examine sector's future at Microlise Transport Conference
RHA chief executive Richard Burnett is the latest speaker to be announced at the Microlise Transport Conference taking place on the 20 May at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.Burnett will discuss 'the post-Brexit landscape', clean air zones, investment in road infrastructure and the skills shortage and need for diversity within ...
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MT Article
Government’s £28bn road programme set to face similar legal challenge used to halt Heathrow expansion
An environmental campaign group is planning a legal challenge to the government’s £28.8bn roads programme on the grounds that it breaches UK climate and environment laws.Campaign group Transport Action Network is warning that the DfT’s latest five-year Road Investment Strategy, due to be published in April, does not take into ...
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MT ArticleRoads watchdog calls for road users to name and shame poor road signs
Road users are being urged to report poor road signs on motorways and A-roads in a bid to force Highways England to improve signage across the UK’s major roads network.The Sort My Sign campaign, launched by Transport Focus, aims to pressure Highways England to make signs, including electronic signs, clearer ...
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MT ArticleA deep dive into the selection, buying methods and maintenance of tyres and wheels
Choosing the right tyres and adopting the best wheel maintenance regime can make a huge difference to a fleet operator’s bottom line.Indeed, tests for the EU tyre labelling standards indicate fuel consumption can be affected up to 30% by the choice of tyre used on a vehicle.And with the average ...
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MT ArticleHS2 may need over 500 full-time tippers at construction peak
Removal of spoil at the Curzon Street railway station HS2 site in BirminghamHS2 Ltd, the public body tasked with overseeing the project, has revealed that at least 500 tippers may be needed full-time during the peak of its construction.The vast majority of the 132m tonnes of material excavated during the ...
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MT ArticleMake a bigger investment in road safety, operators urged
Significant financial, regulatory and societal barriers are preventing commercial vehicle operators from investing more in road safety practices, according to a report from the International Road Transport Union (IRU).It found that while 80% of logistics operators will continue to invest in road safety and the industry recognises it has a ...
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MT ArticleNew Brexit border rules will require 50,000 extra customs officers, government admits
The government has confirmed that around 50,000 workers will need to be recruited to fill out customs paperwork for trade with the EU after Brexit in a Canada-style deal.Pressed by Labour MP Justin Madders over whether it was feasible to recruit and train an estimated 50,000 new customs officers in ...
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MT ArticleFord Motor Company signs up for ITT Hub 2020
Ford Motor Company is the latest big name to sign up for ITT Hub 2020 at Farnborough International Conference & Exhibition Centre on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 May.Ford will be showcasing its latest commercial vehicle range and providing live demos.The company joins over 80 confirmed exhibitors including DAF Trucks, ...
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MT ArticleMigrant gangs step up attacks on British truckers
The RHA has repeated its plea to the French authorities to do more to protect truck drivers from violent migrant gangs looking to enter the UK illegally.The call comes after an HGV driver was allegedly threatened with guns and knives at a French service station on Thursday night (20 February).The ...
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MT Article
Government urged to maintain 10-year freeze on fuel duty in March Budget
The government is being urged not to raise fuel duty in the forthcoming Budget following speculation that the first increase in a decade is on the cards.Reports suggest that the plan under consideration is an increase of around 2ppl, although the rise may not be introduced until next year.However, the ...