All Industry News articles – Page 134
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ArticleTfL suspends road congestion charges during coronavirus crisis
All London road charging schemes will be temporarily suspended from today (23 March) to help ensure supply chains are kept moving and critical workers and emergency vehicles can move around the capital during the coronavirus outbreak.Transport for London (TfL) said the Congestion Charge, Ultra Low Emission Zone and Low Emission ...
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ArticleDrivers' hours suspension: the industry reacts...
With mounting pressure on a number of distribution operations, the government has taken steps to ease the pressure on drivers and transport operations to make sure that the supplies that we all need continue to get through.The relaxation gives some stretch to daily, weekly and fortnightly drivers’ hours and lengthens ...
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ArticleTruck and trailer MOT tests suspended for three months
The DVSA has announced that all MOT testing of trucks and trailers will be suspended for three months in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.Any trucks and trailers due for test in the suspension period will be issued with exemptions automatically. Some vehicles, such as those due for their first MOT ...
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ArticlePallet networks call for fuel duty derogation during COVID-19 pandemic
The Association of Pallet Networks (APN) is calling on government to suspend fuel duty for the logistics industry to protect hauliers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and secure the supply chain.The APN, which represents the UK’s eight pallet networks, is also calling on the RHA and FTA to ...
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ArticleDrivers' hours relaxed until 21 April but 'must not be abused recklessly'
The Department for Transport has announced that the current limited drivers’ hours relaxation will be extended until 23.59hrs on Tuesday 21 April 2020 and apply to all road haulage operations.The move follows discussions between RHA chief executive Richard Burnett (pictured) and secretary of state for transport, Grant Shapps.“This is a ...
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ArticleEuropean Automobile Manufacturers Association calls for urgent EU action to avoid "irreversible damage" to sector
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic will have grave consequences for the transport and logistics sector without urgent action at national and EU level.Most ACEA members have already announced temporary closures of plants due to collapsing demand, supply shortages and government measures and are ...
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ArticleFORS suspends audits
FORS – the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme – has announced that, following the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, all FORS Bronze site audit activity will be suspended from Monday 23 March 2020 until further notice.An official communication to the scheme’s primary and secondary contacts yesterday (19 March), stated: "Organisations with ...
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Transport workers on new government list of those still able to send their children to school
Transport workers are among those on a new government list of people deemed "critical to the COVID-19 response" and whose children will therefore be prioritised for educational provision in schools.Schools are currently being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children who are either vulnerable or ...
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ArticleMotor Transport Awards postponed
"This has been a week of unprecedented measures for all of us," writes Road Transport Media divisional director Vic Bunby. "The continued spread of the COVID-19 virus, daily changes in government advice and guidelines around travel restrictions and social gatherings have been challenging, and unlike anything we’ve seen before. Like ...
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"Supply chain will cope if public don't panic," FTA insists
The FTA has reassured UK businesses that the supply chain is capable of handling the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic but said it would take the support of government and a flexible approach to keep goods flowing.“Logistics is one of the UK’s most flexible and adaptable industries,” explained policy ...
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ArticleELB Partners buys two Mercedes Actros as part of 50-year anniversary investment
Wimbledon-based ELB Partners has marked 50 years of business with two new Mercedes Actros, wrapped in a distinctive anniversary white and silver livery.The 20-plate HGVs, which come with camera-enabled technology to replace conventional mirrors, join two new DAFs as part of a £500,000 investment.“This year - 2020 - is a ...
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ArticleDVSA suspends vehicle tests for two days
The DVSA has suspended vehicle tests for two days to reduce the spread of COVID-19.The move comes as hauliers reported that they were struggling to book vehicle inspections and MOTs due to shortfalls of staff.A DVSA spokesman said: “We are working to put contingency plans in place to help reduce ...
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Government's £330bn pledge for industry welcomed by hauliers
The government’s promise to provide a £330bn package of financial measures to keep the UK industry afloat has been welcomed by hauliers, although questions remain over how quickly they can access help.Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the government was prepared to do whatever it takes to shore up the economy and ...
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ArticleRules on drivers' delivery hours relaxed until 16 April
The government has relaxed EU drivers’ hours rules in England, Scotland and Wales for hauliers involved in the delivery of food and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.The relaxation also affects deliveries of personal care, household paper and cleaning products.The Department for Transport (DfT) said this “temporary, limited and urgent relaxation” affected drivers when ...
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POSTPONED - All your questions about drivers' hours but were afraid to ask - answered anonymously by DVSA
The DVSA has had to postpone its campaign to remind HGV drivers and operators of the regulations around driving time and rests and to encourage them to stick to the rules as a result of the coronavirus.The relaxation of the drivers' hours for some drivers has made the DVSA push ...
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ArticleLondon Lorry Control Scheme suspended until 30 April
The London Lorry Control Scheme has been suspended in order to ease the passage of goods into shops and supermarkets.London Councils said the decision to cease enforcement of the scheme, which controls the movement of lorries at night and at weekends, was made in response to concerns by the industry, ...
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ArticleRHA chief executive confident that government is listening to plea for action over coronavirus
RHA chief executive Richard Burnett has paid tribute to the “positive response” from transport secretary Grant Schapps MP (pictured) to a set of measures requested to support the haulage industry through the coronavirus epidemic.In a letter to Schapps seen by MT, Burnett warned that his members were “reporting catastrophic effects ...
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ArticleGovernment delays IR35 for a year in face of COVID-19 crisis
The IR35 tax reforms will be delayed for a year to help firms weather the coronavirus pandemic, the treasury has revealed.The move, announced by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay, comes less than a week after the measures were confirmed in the Budget and a day after the House ...
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ArticleAgency Redwigwam waives fees on flexible workers to help logistics sector beat coronavirus
Employment agency Redwigwam is scrapping fees until further notice to help logistics firms ensure they have enough drivers and warehouse workers to keep the supply chain moving.The company specialises in helping firms find flexible workers to carry out short-term and ad hoc jobs.Lorna Davidson (pictured), founder and chief executive of ...
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ArticleLogistics firms turn to private coronavirus testing to protect supply chain
Logistics companies are paying thousands of pounds to private clinics to test their drivers and warehouse staff for the coronavirus in the absence of widespread testing for the disease by the NHS.In a bid to secure their supply chains and fulfil contractual obligations during the pandemic, some companies are paying ...