Industry news – Page 140

  • WABCO_OptiFlow_Tail_260px_LR
    Article

    Cab manufacturers could slow aerodynamic improvements, trailer manufacturers warn

    2019-02-26T08:00:00Z

    WABCO's OptiFlow boat tailTrailer manufacturers are warning that cab manufacturers could delay the delivery of EU legislation aimed at improving truck and trailer aerodynamics.The draft legislation, which is out for consultation this month, aims to change current regulations on truck and trailer dimensions to allow for more rounded truck fronts ...

  • DoverPort_shutterstock
    Article

    SSD waiver for six months to speed imports in no-deal Brexit

    2019-02-21T11:40:00Z

    Dover PortThe government has suspended the introduction of pre-arrival forms for EU imports in the event of a no-deal Brexit.HMRC said the six-month waiver of the Security and Safety Declarations would give companies more time to prepare for changes to EU-UK trade arrangements in the event the country leaves without ...

  • Gullivers CG
    Article

    Faulty trucks and falling demand key factors in Gulliver’s fall, say administrators

    2019-02-19T15:18:00Z

    The demise of Gulliver’s Truck Hire in December last year was triggered by an increasingly competitive market, falling demand for trucks and vans and “issues” with the firm’s three axle tractor units, according to the firm’s administrators.The Bristol-based company, which operated a fleet of 3,800 commercial vehicles and employed 282 ...

  • Newtown Bypass
    Article

    New bypasses promise faster journey times in Wales and Scotland

    2019-02-19T11:38:00Z

    The Newtown bypass opened early and on budgetTwo new by-passes have opened in recent days, both promising to significantly improve road transport links in their respective regions.The first to open, on St Valentine’s Day, was in mid-Wales. The 4-mile Newtown bypass incorporates three bridges, four underpasses and five roundabouts, and ...

  • Article

    Hauliers question allocation of ECMT permits as hundreds of firms left empty handed

    2019-02-12T17:11:00Z

    Hundreds of UK international hauliers have been left confused and angry after failing to secure European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) permits. Under current European legislation UK hauliers will not be able to transport goods in and across Europe if the UK crashes out of Europe, without ECMT permits.The ...

  • Article

    Cabotage rights become bargaining chip in Brexit talks

    2019-02-12T16:47:00Z

    The cabotage rights of EU hauliers in the UK could be suspended if the EU does not agree to allow UK hauliers continued access to Europe in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the UK government has warned.The EU is currently working on legislation that will allow UK hauliers basic ...

  • Article

    Sir Mike Penning added to Microlise Transport Conference line-up

    2019-02-07T16:34:00Z

    Sir Mike Penning MP, chairman of the newly established Road Freight and Logistics All-Party Parliamentary Group will address delegates at the Microlise Transport Conference this May.He will use his presentation to outline the aims and objectives of the group.First elected in his Hemel Hempstead constituency in May 2005, Penning served ...

  • Andrew Baxter from Europa Worldwide Group
    Article

    Europa Worldwide Group snaps up Menzies Response assets to strengthen warehousing division

    2019-02-04T12:04:00Z

    Europa Worldwide Group has purchased some of the trade and assets of Menzies Response for an undisclosed sum.Menzies Response is a fulfilment and warehouse management service and will be integrated into Europa’s warehouse division.The deal includes Menzies’ warehouse in Rushden, Northamptonshire and a contact centre in Ashford, Kent.Europa’s warehouse division ...

  • Article

    DfT under fire over Brexit ferry deals as FTA prepares for the worse and Manston contingency is extended

    2019-02-01T11:26:00Z

    MPs have accused the government of failing to respond to allegations that it illegally awarded ferry contracts to three operators as part of Brexit ‘no deal’ contingency plans.As the FTA announced it was continuing to advise members about managing UK-EU trade flows in the event of the country crashing out ...

  • UPN truck parked on road
    Article

    UPN to move to new central hub next year

    2019-01-30T15:45:00Z

    United Pallet Network (UPN) is to move to a new home next year as it makes provision for continuing growth.The pallet network is to relocate to a new facility on Fradley Distribution Park, where its current central hub is.A new long-term lease commences from January 2020 and UPN will be ...

  • Article

    DVSA promotes Becky Thomas to head of strategy and policy

    2019-01-24T10:19:00Z

    The DVSA has appointed Becky Thomas as the new director of strategy and policy.She will have responsibility for shaping the strategic direction of DVSA and transforming the services it provides to help improve road safety.Thomas had been deputising in the same role since 1 June 2018 and has been promoted ...

  • Bridgestone BS Truck Point
    Article

    Bridgestone's purchase of Tom Tom Telematics to create fleet powerhouse

    2019-01-23T17:15:00Z

    Bridgestone has said its €910m (£793m) proposed purchase of Tom Tom’s telematics business will create a commercial vehicle fleet powerhouse.The deal will bring together, in Bridgestone’s own words, “the world’s largest tyre company with the number one provider of digital fleet solutions in Europe”.Bridgestone added that the purchase of Tom ...

  • Article

    DVSA head of enforcement to speak at Microlise conference

    2019-01-23T14:00:00Z

    The first key speaker to be confirmed for the 2019 Microlise Transport Conference is DVSA director of enforcement Marian Kitson.Kitson (pictured) joined the DVSA in September 2018 after 30 years with HMRC and is responsible for all enforcement activities, including roadside checks, counter-fraud and investigations, intelligence and working with the ...

  • Article

    HSE guidance on the handling of pallet weights could take another six months to finalise

    2019-01-23T11:55:00Z

    HSE guidance on the handling of pallet weights could take another six months to be finalised and will not set a limit on pallet weights, according to the head of the working group liaising with HSE on the guidance.Richard Smith, RHA operations director, who is chairman of the working group, ...

  • Renault Trucks R&D centre
    Article

    Renault Trucks to invest £29m in new R&D centre

    2019-01-21T16:44:00Z

    Renault Trucks has announced plans for a new 122,000sq ft R&D centre in St Priest, Lyon, France.The €33m (£29m) development, designed to use 25% less energy than the French building standard, is scheduled to open in the first half of 2021.According to Renault, the new centre, one of the top ...

  • eCascadianull
    Article

    Daimler to deliver fully driverless truck to market within a decade

    2019-01-21T10:27:00Z

    Daimler is to invest €500m (£450m) to develop a level 4 autonomous truck, with a view to bringing it to market within a decade.Speaking at the North American launch of the new Freightliner Cascadia earlier this month, which has the same level 2 autonomy as the new Mercedes-Benz Actros, Daimler ...

  • Article

    Hawk Plant (UK) collapses into administration

    2019-01-18T18:15:00Z

    One of the largest independent plant hire firms has entered administration, two months after it said the collapse of Carillion had caused it disruption.Restructuring firm EY was appointed to Shropshire-based Hawk Plant (UK) on Monday (14 January), as well as to subsidiary businesses Hawk Plant Hire, Hawk Hire, Safety and ...

  • PA Images
    Article

    RHA attacks HS2 move to ban non-Euro-6 trucks from supply chain as 'virtue signalling'

    2019-01-15T21:05:00Z

    The decision to ban all but Euro-6 trucks from working on the HS2 rail project is “virtue signalling”, the RHA said this weekThe criticism follows the announcement this week by HS2 Limited, the public body tasked with overseeing the project, that all vehicles along the length of the 345 mile ...

  • Recovery truck shutterstock
    Article

    Recovery firms call for review of Highway England's statutory recovery scheme over transparency concerns

    2019-01-15T07:03:00Z

    Recovery firms are demanding a review of Highways England’s (HE) statutory recovery scheme amid concerns about a lack of financial transparency.The Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators (AVRO) said the scheme was being “torn to pieces” because of frustration to do with an apparent disparity between how much recovery operators are ...

  • Article

    Abandon charging clean air zones for business friendly alternatives, demands the RHA

    2019-01-14T15:52:00Z

    The RHA has called on councils to think twice before hitting hauliers and local business with the expense of charging clean air zones, after Southampton abandoned the approach.Southampton City Council turned its back on plans to charge vehicles to enter its proposed CAZ last week.The council said £15m-worth of air ...