A joint campaign of industry associations is ramping up its efforts to persuade Transport for London (TfL) to delay the October launch of its stricter Direct Vision Standards for HGVs entering London.

The RHA, Logistics UK and the Association of International Courier & Express Services have joined forces to persuade TFL and London Councils to push back the 28 October 2024 deadline for the new standards, known as the Progressive Safety System (PSS), in order to give hauliers time to upgrade their fleets.

From 28 October 2024, HGVs over 12 tonne gross vehicle weight entering and operating in the capital, that have a two star rating or lower, must fit a Progressive Safe System, which is a range of safety measures and equipment that must be installed on the vehicle before a permit is applied for.

Hauliers must provide proof of this system to obtain a permit. All existing HGV safety permits held by hauliers for a zero, one or two star-rated HGV will expire at midnight on 27 October.

The joint campaign is calling for hauliers operating in London to complete its survey to assess whether operators will be ready for these new, stricter Direct Vision Standards (DVS).

The campaigners are also asking operators to complete a TfL survey by 5 February, expressing their readiness for the 28 October changes and for hauliers with depots or premises based in London to write to their local London councillor using the groups’ template letter.

The RHA said: ”We are clear that safety on our roads is paramount but we are concerned about the timescales TfL has imposed to ensure businesses can realistically comply with the practical and operational challenges. They also need to consider the time it will take for operators to subsequently obtain and have the equipment fitted.”

Campaigners’ concerns include the practical implementation of the new criteria, the failure to recognise the lifecycle of vehicles and the need to retrofit, the cost of upgrading fleets, and the scheme’s impact on service levels into London.

Tomorrow (1 February) RHA is issuing the current criteria with details of what operators will need to do to be compliant ahead of the October deadline.

Answers to the joint survey will be anonymised and collated to inform the conversations the three trade bodies are having with TfL. The deadline for responses is 6pm Friday 23 February. More information can be found on the trade associations’ websites.

 

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