Industry news – Page 166

  • MotorwayLight_trailsshutterstock_89299108
    Article

    Logistics businesses in the North could generate £35bn benefit for the economy by 2060, claims report

    2016-09-15T10:38:00Z

    Logistics businesses in the North of England could generate £35bn in economic benefits for the region by 2060 and create 80,000 jobs, according to a new report.However, the report from Transport for the North (TfN), warns that achieving this potential is reliant on public sector interventions to enable the predominantly ...

  • Article

    DfT considering extending the longer semi-trailer trial

    2016-09-07T10:46:00Z

    The government is seeking views on extending the longer semi-trailer pilot, despite the latest annual report revealing that the full allocation is still not running on UK roads.According to the fourth annual report, 1,674 of the full allocation of 1,800 longer semi-trailer permits were in use as of July 2016; ...

  • Article

    John Hayes takes over freight role at DfT

    2016-09-06T14:03:00Z

    John Hayes has taken responsibility for freight and logistics following a reshuffle at the DfT, replacing Andrew Jones. The MP for South Holland and The Deepings will also be responsible for Highways England as well as the environment and technology.Hayes was previously a transport minister between July 2014 and May ...

  • Hanjin_PA-25728129
    Article

    Hanjin Shipping bankruptcy likely to hurt container hauliers

    2016-09-06T10:40:00Z

    The fallout from the bankruptcy of Hanjin Shipping is likely to be far reaching with hauliers operating out of Felixstowe potentially facing writing off large debts.The South Korean shipping line, the world’s seventh-largest container shipper, filed for bankruptcy protection on 31 August, immediately raising concerns regarding liabilities for customer cargoes ...

  • CalaisBlockade...PA-
    Article

    Calais blockade will trigger more migrant attacks and Operation Stack, industry associations warn

    2016-09-05T13:41:00Z

    A blockade of Calais by French hauliers and farmers demanding the immediate removal of the migrant camps, launched this week, will make drivers a sitting target for migrant attacks and could trigger Operation Stack, the FTA and RHA have warned.RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: "The inevitable repercussions of this ...

  • Article

    The Brexit factor: UK road transport industry remains split on a future outside the EU

    2016-09-05T13:16:00Z

    The results of an online poll conducted by Motortransport.co.uk have found that while 43% of the 487 operators believed leaving the EU would benefit their businesses, 40% did not.The remaining 17% of respondents were undecided.While the weak pound is boosting exports, according to a report from the CBI last month, ...

  • Article

    More than a third of hauliers have felt an effect from Brexit decision

    2016-09-02T13:19:00Z

    More than a third of hauliers (35%) have felt an effect from Britain's decision to quit the EU, according to a new survey.The figure is taken from the latest quarterly survey of more than 900 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) conducted by Close Brothers Asset Finance.By comparison, when all UK ...

  • Article

    Surge in the number of HGV driving tests taken and passed

    2016-08-25T10:49:00Z

    The number of HGV driving licence tests taken and passed surged in the year to 31 March 2016.Category C tests increased by 29% to 45,513 (2015: 35,303). There was a corresponding increase in passes, up 30% to 24,502 (18,867), equivalent to a pass rate of 53.8%.At the heavy end, category ...

  • NewScaniaPalais
    Article

    New Scania R-series and S-series tractors wow the crowds

    2016-08-25T09:58:00Z

    The new Scania R-series and S-series long haul tractor units that were unveiled this week were a big hit with the 1,200 major customers, dealers and press from around the world at a super-slick launch event in the Grand Palais in Paris. Ten years and SEK20bn (£1.8bn ) in the ...

  • New Scania models
    Article

    Scania debuts new S-series and R-series

    2016-08-23T18:28:00Z

    Scania's new models have been revealed, heralding a generation of more efficient and spacious trucks from the manufacturer.New R-series (pictured left) and S-series (right) models were unveiled in Paris tonight (23 August), with the new trucks said to be up to 5% more efficient than the manufacturer’s most recently launched ...

  • Article

    Amazon to open 13th UK fulfilment centre in spring 2017

    2016-08-18T15:07:00Z

    Amazon is to create 1,500 jobs with a new fulfilment centre in Essex next year, announced just a week after it revealed plans for its new Doncaster warehouse. The planned centre in Tilbury, Essex, will open in spring 2017, and will be the online retailer’s 13th fulfilment centre in the ...

  • Article

    DfT reports rise in industry efficiency, but fall in international goods movement

    2016-08-18T14:26:00Z

    The road haulage industry boosted its efficiency last year, according to new statistics from the DfT.The department's Domestic Road Freight Statistics for 2015 reported a 12% increase in the goods carried by HGVs over the year compared to 2014, to 152 billion tonne kms.However the miles travelled by HGVs for ...

  • CM 20.08.15Nick Jones, Traffic Commissioner
    Article

    Nick Jones named first full time Wales traffic commissioner

    2016-08-15T11:11:00Z

    CM 20.08.15 Nick Jones, Traffic CommissionerTraffic commissioner (TC) Nick Jones is to become the first full time TC for Wales.Jones (pictured), whose role is currently split between Wales and the West Midlands, has been appointed by the Welsh Government to cover the traffic area full time from 1 October.Several TCs ...

  • Article

    No post-Brexit supply chain changes for retailers

    2016-08-11T09:55:00Z

    A majority of retailers think Brexit will have no impact on their supply chains – but they’re considering overhauling them anyway to cope with the demand from online shopping.A report into the retail supply chain in light of the referendum vote found 56% of retailers believe Brexit will not affect ...

  • Article

    David Potter joins Asset Alliance

    2016-08-09T11:47:00Z

    A strategy to double the size of contract hire and leasing firm Asset Alliance proved irresistible to ex-Axis MD David Potter, who has joined as commercial development director.After a six-year stint at the Oxfordshire fleet management and contract hire business, Potter, 50, said: “What really attracted me to this role ...

  • Article

    Institute of Couriers submits bid for express delivery management trailblazer

    2016-08-04T11:40:00Z

    A trailblazer apprenticeship standard for managers in the parcel courier sector has been submitted to BIS by the Institute of Couriers (Ioc) in light of the e-retail boom and upcoming apprenticeship levy. The newly proposed apprenticeship would train managers to plan and manage the final-mile delivery of goods and packages.If ...

  • Beverley Bell (General Publicity)
    Article

    Beverley Bell to step down from roles as senior TC and North West TC

    2016-08-04T10:51:00Z

    Senior traffic commissioner (TC) and TC for the North West Beverley Bell is to step down next year.Bell is to continue in her current roles until spring 2017 after being re-appointed by the DfT for another 12 months.However, she does not intend to seek reappointment next year.She said: “In reflecting ...

  • EUpuzzle_shutterstock
    Article

    Brexit: we want your thoughts on the UK's future outside the EU now!

    2016-08-03T13:58:00Z

    Post-Vote Brexit Survey: Last month UK voters made arguably the most momentous decision in the country’s post- Second World War history when they backed Brexit.This was something our previous poll found support amongst Motor Transport readers for with 54% of you in favour (slightly ahead of the national vote as ...

  • Article

    RHA to represent operators in truck cartel compensation action

    2016-08-02T15:23:00Z

    The RHA is to launch legal action against the major truck manufacturers, after they were found guilty by the European Commission of price fixing and fined €2.9bn (£2.5bn).The RHA said that after legal advice it would now pursue the case for compensation.Richard Burnett, chief executive of the RHA, said: “We ...

  • fitc 2016 logorgb
    Article

    Booking open for 2016 Freight in the City Expo

    2016-08-01T09:07:00Z

    Booking is now open for this year's Freight in the City Expo, which will take place on 2 November at London's Alexandra Palace. The free-to-attend event will feature an exhibition of the latest vehicles, technology and equipment that enable urban deliveries to be made cleanly, safely, quietly and efficiently, as ...