Latest fleet news – Page 429
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MT ArticleGovernment to consult industry over need for traffic commissioners
The industry has been given a chance to say whether the role and functions of the traffic commissioners are required, after the government launched a consultation into their work.The review also offers an opportunity to comment on the current delivery model, governance and funding arrangements of the eight TCs and ...
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MT ArticleSuez refuse collection drivers in Somerset offered £1,000 welcome bonus
Somerset’s waste collection contractor Suez is offering HGV drivers a £1,000 “welcome bonus” as it apologised to residents for ongoing service disruption.The Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) which oversees collections in the county, said the cash reflected tough competition in Somerset, where the HGV driver shortage was more acute due to ...
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MT ArticleDiamond Logistics secures £2.5m funding to develop Despatchlab platform
Diamond Logistics has secured a £2.5m investment, which it said would be used to develop its platform Despatchlab and capitalise on the demand it has experienced due to the UK lockdowns.The Surrey-based delivery and fulfilment firm said consumers were now demanding same and next-day deliveries more frequently thanks to an ...
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MT ArticleBowker profits boosted by demand for storage space
WH Bowker said it was “pleased” with its trading performance last year after reporting an increase in pre-tax profits, thanks to the demand for shed space outstripping supply amid the pandemic.For the year ending 31 December 2020, the company saw revenues dip slightly, by 5.6% to £14.1m (£14.9m) but pre-tax ...
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MT ArticleDVSA survey proposals aim to fast track new HGV drivers and ease labour shortage
Hauliers and drivers are being urged to respond to a consultation on proposals to overhaul vocational driving requirements and create one test to drive both a rigid and articulated lorry.As part of government plans announced last month to tackle the HGV driver shortage crisis, the DVSA has now launched a ...
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MT ArticleNexar unveils new 'plug and play' dashcam with super wide lens
A new ‘plug and play’ compact dashcam has been launched by Nexar, with a 32GB SD card and free unlimited cloud storage.Nexar said its Beam GPS can be concealed behind the rear-view mirror and records 1080p full HD video with a super wide lens for a 135-degree field of view.It ...
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MT ArticleSlide in European trucking capacity raises spot market rates
Trucking capacity on European roads remained at a low level in July according to industry analysts, resulting in a significant increase in spot market rates.Figures from Transporeon showed that road transport capacity was at a low level of 76.7 points last month, a 26.9% reduction in capacity compared with July ...
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MT ArticleM6 closed after chemical fire on lorry trailer
Image: West Midlands Fire ServiceA lorry fire on the M6 involving a trailer carrying a large amount of chemicals led to a temporary closure of the motorway and five miles of congestion.West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) said it was alerted to a fire involving a lorry trailer on the M6 ...
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MT ArticleLogistics UK launches free guide to finding funding for new HGV drivers
A free guide explaining how to access funding and support for employing HGV drivers is being offered to logistics firms.Produced by Logistics UK, with support from the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions, the guide gives information about schemes available to employers and how and where ...
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MT ArticleXPO Logistics to sponsor new LGBTQ+ event
XPO Logistics is sponsoring the first ever Tamworth Pride festival in Staffordshire, signalling its support of LGBTQ+ employees.The company said it was continuing to expand its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and its sponsorship of the event on 14-15 August follows its sponsorship of the New York City Pride ...
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MT ArticleDriver shortage may force firms to employ dangerous drivers, Traffic Commissioner report warns
The critical shortage of HGV drivers could tempt operators to engage and retain staff who fail to live up to basic standards, according to the traffic commissioners.In their latest annual report, the TCs acknowledged the challenge facing haulage firms as an acute skills shortage places significant pressure on supply chains ...
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MT Article
Hydrogen range-extenders for urban distribution 'a really workable solution'
Freight in the City recently hosted the 'Hydrogen for Urban Distribution Vehicles' webinar in partnership with Tevva Electric Trucks. The webinar looked at how hydrogen can be used to boost electric delivery vehicle ranges and government plans for decarbonising commercial vehicles.First up was Alan McKinnon, professor of logistics at Kuehne ...
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MT ArticleArmy "on stand-by" to help with driver shortage
The government is to call in the army "imminently" to help with the HGV driver shortage, it has been reported.Sources at the Daily Mail and other media claim that around 2,000 HGV drivers from the Royal Logistics Corps and other regimments have been put on five-day notice to distribute food ...
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MT ArticleAct now to decarbonise your fleet, Tevva urges operators after "code red" UN climate report
UK electric truck company Tevva has told HGV operators to speed up plans to decarbonise their fleets after a new UN scientific report warned that climate change, triggered by human activity, will lead to increasingy heat waves, droughts and flooding.Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the report - published by the ...
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MT Article“We did not hold back on opposing DVS,” argues RHA after fresh criticism
The RHA has been forced to defend itself over renewed industry claims that a public inquiry (PI) which could have rejected the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) was not held because the trade association withdrew its formal objections.At a PI, an independent inspector representing the Secretary of State would have tested ...
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MT ArticlePay hikes triggering driver poaching and rates increases, top hauliers warn
Leading operators have insisted raising driver pay rates and offering sign-on bonuses will fail to ease the current chronic labour shortage and have instead led to rates increases and firms poaching staff from each other.Their warning comes amid a raft of fresh incentives being offered by major supermarkets and logistics ...
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MT Article"Dangerous and foolhardy" - relaxation of drivers' hours extended until 3 October
The government has extended the temporary relaxation of drivers’ hours rules in the UK until October, in a move criticised by the industry as not making “any material difference” to the driver shortage.The Department for Transport said the extension reflected “the exceptional circumstances arising from the cumulative impacts of the ...
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MT ArticleDPD swoops for CitySprint to boost same-day delivery network
DPD UK has acquired same-day delivery firm CitySprint in a move it said would strengthen its position in the market.It follows a period of growth for CitySprint, which DPD said had seen continued demand for its services as businesses sought out more urgent and time critical same-day deliveries.Elaine Kerr, DPD ...
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MT ArticleUnite union reignites fears of HGV drivers' strike after confronting government
The Unite union has stoked the fire of an HGV drivers’ strike after accusing employers and the government of a “brazen lack of respect” which was now coming home to roost.After the threat among some drivers of industrial action over poor pay and deteriorating conditions appeared to diminish this week ...
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MT ArticleAllen Logistics adds new Actros with MirrorCam to fleet
Allen Logistics in Co. Armagh has once again chosen Mercedes-Benz for its fleet additions, meaning two-thirds of the fleet now display the three-pointed stars.It has taken delivery of two new Actros 2548 tractor units with MirrorCam technology and flat-floored 2.5m StreamSpace cabs and a pre-owned 18-tonne Actros.The company, headquartered in ...