Transport for London (TfL) has told motortransport.co.uk a postponement to the Direct Vision Standard is being kept under consideration as concerns grow that manufacturers will struggle to fulfil vehicle orders.
Following its decision to suspend all London road charging schemes, a TfL spokeswoman said a decision on the planned introduction of the DVS had yet to be made and added: “The matter is of course under consideration, and any changes would form part of the TfL-wide operational response to the coronavirus outbreak.”
With most of the major truck makers announcing a halt to production at their factories in Europe, the prospect of customer orders being met in time for the October launch of the DVS is looking increasingly remote.
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Chris Ashley, RHA head of policy for the environment and regulation, said it wanted the DVS implementation postponed: “This is in sober recognition of the economic dislocation COVID-19 is causing vehicle manufacturers, and their ability to supply the equipment needed to ensure compliance against the Direct Vision Standard,” he said.
“The timescales do not now allow for HGVs to be upgraded by October, and implementation should be postponed by one year.”
