TfL’s Safer Lorries Scheme, which is being developed with support from London Councils, has entered its final consultation phase and is on track to go live next summer.

The scheme will require vehicles over 3.5-tonnes to have side-guards and improved mirrors fitted when entering the capital, or initially face a fixed penalty fine of arounfd £50.

Earlier this month TfL mandated this as a requirement of Bronze Fors.

The Safer Lorries Scheme will operate around the clock and cover, through traffic regulation orders, the same area as the London Low Emission Zone.

Leon Daniels, MD of Surface Transport at TfL, said: “Improving the safety of London’s roads is a top priority for Transport for London. Heavy goods vehicles, particularly construction related vehicles, are involved in a disproportionate number of fatal collisions with cyclists. Of the 14 cyclist deaths in London in 2013, nine involved HGVs.”

“The proposed Safer Lorries Scheme will ensure that the minority of HGVs that still operate on our roads without effective basic safety equipment are required to fit this. This will save lives and ensure a level playing field for operators.”

TfL puts the cost of retrofitting sideguards at approximately £500 per vehicle and extended view mirrors at approximately £300 per mirror.

While TfL is forging ahead, the DfT said last month that it was not in a position, more than a year after starting the process, to let operators know the outcome of the sideguard exemptions for construction vehicles review it is undertaking.

The DfT is working on an action plan regarding HGV safety for December, tied into the recent publication of its Cycling Delivery Plan draft, but confirmed this would not include the outcome of the review.

  • Scania has developed a cycle-safe “high vision” urban tipper based on its P-series cab mounted on an LB8X 2x6 rear-steer chassis. It uses air suspension that can be lowered when running in town to give better vision for the driver and raised when off road to improve ground clearance. None are yet in service though there are a number of LB8x 2x6s without air suspension working as milk tankers and other applications where access is restricted.

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