Commercial Motor articles from April 2005

Commercial Motor archives from April 2005

Abnormal loads finally get new safety code.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... A voluntary code of practice for the safe escorting of abnormal loads has been launched after months of delays. The Highways Agency code contains guidance on escort vehicle markings, the kit to be carried and requirements for personnel, as...

Blaze wrecks two trucks.
April 7, 2005... An arson attack at a garage in County Antrim, Northern Ireland has caused more than [pounds sterling]120,000 of damage to two trucks. The fire occurred at about 6am on April at the site on Sanda Road in Newtownabbey. Two other trucks were...

CV Show expects 25,000-strong crowd.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The show is expected to attract more than 25,000 visitors over the three days. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says the event at Birmingham's NEC is Europe's biggest business CV show, with about 630 exhibitors in 11 halls. New...

Cold shoulder over coal trailer.(repair the Composittrailer)(JMS Transport of Wisbech)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... A coal haulier who spent [pounds sterling]35,000 on a specialist trailer made in Belgium claims it fell apart after carrying just five full loads. JMS Transport of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, says no-one in the UK knows how to repair the vehicle...

Daf aims to boost production.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Daf says 2005 is shaping up for another record year, but it's warning that keeping up with demand is becoming increasingly difficult. Long lead times are currently a problem for almost all manufacturers, and while Daf says its order book is...

Defence for alternative to LRUC scheme.(Lorry Road User Charging scheme)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Professor Alan McKinnon has hit back at criticism of his alternative to the Lorry Road User Charging scheme. In An Alternative Method of Road User Charging for Lorries - A Response to Feedback he dismisses claims from the Freight Transport...

Doubt surrounds the future of ISMe.(Cummins engine)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Speculation is rife that Cummins will not certify its 11-litre ISMe engine for Euro-4 after MAN commits all its tractors to the D20. MAN-ERF's plan to equip its tractor units with the new MAN D20 engine has fuelled speculation that Cummins...

Eight-strong hijack gang busted by police.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Several arrests follow violent hijackings. Jennifer Ball reports. Police have charged eight men in the North-West on suspicion of a string of violent truck hijacks across the country that netted nearly a million pounds' worth of goods....

Finally corporate killing bill heads for the statute books.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... After years of dithering the government finally seems ready to launch legislation on corporate manslaughter. David Harris reports. The Government's long-awaited Corporate Manslaughter Bill was published last week and has been broadly...

Ford to pay green grants.(Ford Motor Co.)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Ford is to support operators caught out by the government's termination of the Powershift organisation by guaranteeing its own grant payments. Powershift, set up by the government to promote the use of gas-fuelled trucks and vans, was killed...

Free R&M deal on new Magnums at the show.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Renault is offering CV Show visitors two-year free R&M packages on the new Magnum which debuted at the NEC. This is one of a number of deals Renault is using to tempt operators. Others include free eligibility for the AS24 Renault Trucks...

Free legal clinic guides CM readers.(Commercial Motor)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Commercial Motor's free legal clinic show got off to a busy start with operators queuing up to ask questions about the Working Time Regulations, which became law on Monday. Each operator had a 30-minute private consultation with a transport...

Go for gas and pick up five free trucks.
April 7, 2005... A CNG supplier is offering free trucks if an operator can find enough work for them. Is there such a thing as a free lunch? Guy Sheppard finds out. A green energy supplier is offering to slash fuel costs to just 28p/mile after acquiring...

Grass among the glass.(Kilsyth Transport Services)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... A controversial Scottish operator, previously banned by the Scottish TC, accused by VOSA of breaking cabotage laws and lambasted by angry creditors, has now fallen foul of Customs after almost a tonne of cannabis was found on his truck. George...

Ireland stalls on Working Time.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The Irish government has put the Working Time Regulations on hold while it consults with the industry on the regulations' impact on road hauliers and other groups. No date has been set for their introduction - while in the UK the regulations...

Isuzu's N Series is sleek and Easy.(Isuzu Motors Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... There were several debutantes on the Isuzu stand with the European launch of the redesigned N Series and the introduction of the Easy Shift manual/ automated gearbox. The N Series facelift is intended to create a sleeker look; it includes new...

Kidnappers escape with load of computers.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... A truck driver was kidnapped when his [pounds sterling]60,000 load of computers was stolen from an industrial estate in Northamptonshire. The incident happened between 2am and 4am on Wednesday 23 March when the driver was parked near to New...

LDV takes its show line-up to the Maxus.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... The West Midlands van maker brings its panel vans and new crew-cabs under its Maxus banner, along with a popular long wheelbase model. Not surprisingly, the local van maker was prominent at the show. While news of ever deepening problems...

Megastar rides out.(BMC )(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... BMC is showing five of its Megastar vans at the NEC ahead of an official launch sometime in the autumn. BMC intends to bring 10 of the 22 derivatives into the UK from Turkey; it has earmarked more than 500 units in its first year. The...

Mystery over butch ISBe.(Cummins has introduced ISBe engine)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Cummins has unveiled a bigger ISBe engine - though it is not clear who will take it or where it will be built. "It will be available in line with legislative dates [for Euro-4]" and it already has "significant new OEM" customers., says...

New approach to truck crime.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Operators should not expect police to come running when they've had a truck stolen, says a security official. Guy Sheppard reports. HAULIERS WHO suffer from theft often have unrealistic expectations about how the police will react,...

Prompt action in Midlands.(West Midlands police launch PrompText)(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Operation Indicate, the West Midlands police truck crime unit, has launched an instant messaging system called PROMPTEXT which enables haulage contacts on a secure web-based message system to receive crime updates, either by to a mobile phone,...

Report says women are bullying trucks.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... A rise in aggressive driving, especially by women, is increasing the number of near-misses involving trucks, according to a survey by recruitment firm Jobs@Pertemps. Nearly 80% of the 100 truck drivers it surveyed said they had narrowly...

Retailers campaign for relaxed curfews.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Millions could be saved if local councils relaxed their delivery curfews - but London delivery charges are on the rise. CM's news team reports. Retailers WOULD save an average of [pounds sterling]3.3m a year if delivery curfews to their...

Road rage on the shoulder.(Public Notice)
April 7, 2005... Police are appealing for witnesses to a road rage attack after a truck driver was assaulted in South Gloucestershire. The vicious attack happened on 14 March between J18-19 on the eastbound carriageway of the M4. An attempted overtaking...

That was the year...
April 7, 2005... CM was launched in 1905; for our centenary year we're bringing you stories from years gone by. This week we're back in 1917 and 1967. 1917 The Great War continues; the USA finally notices following the sinking of the Lusitania, breaks off...

Toner's stolen outside depot.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Police are investigating the theft of a load of Hewlett Packard printer and toner cartridges from a truck parked in Milton Keynes. It had been driven from the Netherlands to a depot in Northfield, Tongwell, arriving at about 11pm on 20 March....

Uncorking a Scots bottle.(Brief Article)
April 7, 2005... Scottish hauliers are celebrating the decision to approve a motorway extension - but it's not yet a done deal. Guy Sheppard reports. Scottish hauliers say a controversial decision to build a five-mile motorway extension through the centre...

Canter gallops; Home to uk.(new Canter light trucks)
April 21, 2005... The Portuguese-built Canter has a chequered history on the UK market. Now it's been rebadged and revamped - we've had a sneak preview. DaimlerChrysler's second European CV brand, Mitsubishi Fuso, launched its latest Canter light trucks at...

...but this man's in disguise?
April 21, 2005... Medway police have released CCTV pictures of a man they would like to trace in connection with the theft of a container from Thamesport, Rochester. The theft took place at about 2pm on 19 March when the container was driven away by an ERF...

A LIGHTER TOUCH.(trucknology generation light)
April 21, 2005... M AN's latest 7.5-12-tonne TGL (Trucknology Generation Light) range makes no secret of its roots in the well established TGA line-up, and it's cab is just as wide as the old L2000. But underneath it beats the new common-rail D20 engine with the...

Avia? That'll be the Daewoo.
April 21, 2005... Daewoo has restructured following financial problems and has a new UK distribution network and a new name. Colin Barnett reports. Exclusive Following financial difficulties with its UK importers and at the manufacturing level, the...

BSE crisis blamed for shortage of meat railers.(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... Trailers fitted with meat rails are much in demand at present, says Dave Higgs of Hartlebury, Worcestershire-based independent dealership DH Commercials. "We had a very positive reaction to some Chereau 13.6m triaxle meat railers dating back...

Bath charge plan is 'unfair'.(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... Haulage associations want the local council in Bath to back the building of a new road instead of introducing congestion charges for trucks. The proposed charges have upset local hauliers (CM 17 March) and the Freight Transport Association and...

Bibby plans expansion.(Bibby Distribution)(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... Logistics specialist Bibby Distribution has outlined plans to double in size within the next five years following the acquisition of Hammond Logistics. The takeover increases the turnover of Liverpool-based Bibby from [pounds sterling]124m a...

Bringing light into darkness.
April 21, 2005... On behalf of Redeem, the mobile phone and printer cartridge recycling company, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has given their support to our recent Tsunami Recycling Appeal. Your readers have helped us to raise over...

Clean image of soap thief...
April 21, 2005... Lancashire police have released CCTV pictures of a man they want to interview about the theft of a trailer load of soap powder from the Truckhaven MSA last month (CM 14 April). The trailer, which belonged to Curries of Dumfries, was taken from...

Closer encounters north of border.
April 21, 2005... Just what kind of shape is the Scottish new and used truck market in? Steve Banner reports. It's a long haul from Aberdeen to Glasgow, and an even longer one if your ultimate destination is the industrial cities of the Midlands and North...

Crackdown on unlit parking.(vehicles parking without lights)(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... Almost 60 truck drivers have been cautioned by Derbyshire police in a campaign highlighting the dangers caused by vehicles parking without lights. Officers handed out 58 advisory notes and six [pounds sterling]30 penalty notices during the...

DFDS licence slashed after anonymous call to VOSA.(DFDS Transport, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency )(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... The Scottish O-licence held by DFDS Transport has been cut to one vehicle and one trailer for two weeks after an investigation sparked by a tip-off to VOSA. Scottish Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken cut the licence for 22 vehicles and 20...

Dealer slams manufacturer schemes.(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... Too many manufacturer-approved used truck programmes are bland, boring, and unimaginative, says independent dealer Martin Rhodes. "Put the advertisements that promote them together and the only difference between them is the colours used," he...

Dishwasher tablets worth [pounds sterling]30k stolen.(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... Thieves have escaped with a truck containing a [pounds sterling]30,000 load of dishwasher tablets from Gregory Distribution in Worcestershire. The haul was taken from a storage area in Sandy Lane, Bromsgrove during the night of 9/10 April. The...

EC's demands are simply unrealistic.
April 21, 2005... As you pointed out under the heading "More EU tacho confusion" (CM 10 March) digital tachographs have been the source of much debate between the European Commission and the European Parliament. The EC has repeatedly insisted that EU member...

EVENTS.(Calendar)
April 21, 2005... FTA seminars Working Time Directive 27 April Rochdale Contact: 01892 552222 RHA courses Working Time Directive 28 April Peterborough 12 May Lincoln 19 May Bradford 25 May Birmingham Contact: 01733 261131 Novadata Working Time...

Family row over ownership of a proposed operating centre.(powers and duties of traffic commissioner)(cases of Rob Hughes Transport )
April 21, 2005... At an operator's fourth public inquiry the TC said it was lucky to hang onto its O-licence, and warned it must do things 'spot on' in future. AN OPERATOR which has "been under a cloud for a long time" must prove it owns the land where it...

Finance house sets up used vehicle division.(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... The Alliance & Leicester, which owns several thousand CVs, has set up its own used vehicle division. Ex-lease vehicles will be advertised on www.trucks 247.co.uk and housed at Trafford Park in Manchester. The finance house expects some...

Firm ordered to shut down for a day to train its drivers.(Thomas Witter UK )
April 21, 2005... A COMPANY guilty of numerous drivers' hours offences has been ordered to shut for a day so its drivers can receive refresher training. North Western Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell suspended the licence of Standish-based Thomas Witter UK on...

Firms seek Calais compensation.(Port of Calais )(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... SeaFrance is to claim compensation from the Port of Calais for lost productivity in excess of [pounds sterling]7m following the closure of several ferry berths earlier this year. Spokesman Adrian Richardson says: "Only three berths are...

HSE prepares new management guidelines.(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... Operators are bracing themselves for increased red tape with the news that the HSE is working on a new set of management standards for the road transport industry. The Workplace Transport Priority Programme, a working party within the HSE, has...

Haulage firms hit as Rover collapses.
April 21, 2005... The collapse of Rover has lead to more fall-out for the transport industry. Guy Sheppard reports. Newly created car transport specialist Autocare Group is owed more than [pounds sterling]500,000 by failed car manufacturer MG Rover. Closure...

Hello, remember us?
April 21, 2005... Mr X wonders just how long it will be before road transport is given the priority and attention is deserves by our would-be leaders. Are you looking forward to life after the Election? To a life where promises and assertions actually mean...

IN A CLASS ; OF ITS OWN.(Astravan - car derived van)
April 21, 2005... Strange chap, fashion. As CM's technical team can confirm, if you ignore enough trends, eventually you come back into favour - just like the Astravan, which is celebrating its 21st birthday this year. It's been a while since we last drove...

IN THE NEWS.(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... Stuart Thomas gives us his regular round-up of the way the newspapers have covered the world of transport this week. It's not been a good couple of months for Little Chef. First it had the ignominy of scraping around for someone to buy 180...

It's a giveaway at Mercedes-Benz.(Vision package)(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... THE APPROVED Used Vehicle arm of Mercedes Benz put three vehicles on its NEC stand. It gave away a Vito 112Cdi Vision for 12 months, complete with alloy wheels, carbon fibre dash and ply lining. The Vision package also includes a TV screen,...

Law plus; Up and coming law with the FTA.(planning of Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority)
April 21, 2005... Future legislation Digital tachograph smart card fees: The DVLA is consulting on fees for the issue of digital tachograph smart cards to allow the DVLA and DVLNI full cost recovery (estimated at around [pounds sterling]72m for the years up to...

Limited demands.
April 21, 2005... Should you stay a sole trader, become a limited company or choose one of the options in between? Kevin Bexley reports on the pros and cons of the various business structures. Changes made to the tax system by Chancellor Gordon Brown in 2002...

Littlewoods blow for industry.(Littlewoods Organisation PLC)(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... The transport industry has suffered a further blow this week with the announcement that Littlewoods is to close its loss-making Index catalogue business. This will result in the loss of 3,200 jobs, including 350 positions at its distribution...

M-B saves fuel with eco-roll.(introduction of eco-roll fuel-economy device)(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... Mercedes-Benz has joined Volvo in offering an "eco-roll" fuel-economy device on its BlueTec 4 and BlueTec 5 range of Euro-4 and Euro-5 trucks. It shifts the truck into neutral when there is no torque requested. Volvo launched the system on the...

MAN Diesel moves in to Scottish sector.(MAN Diesel)
April 21, 2005... persuading Scottish Scania and Volvo fans to switch to a used MAN or ERF sounds like an uphill task, but it's one that Jim Bentley, general manager of MAN Diesel's new Scottish operation, is more than willing to attempt. He aims to retail at...

Merc dealers win top marques from Japan.(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... Manufacturers concerned that their dealers will take on additional franchises in a bid to broaden their customer base and boost profitability should consider offering them some extra franchises of their own, says Marc Stottelaar, executive...

New firm springs from old.(relaunch)(Lloyds Transport and Warehousing)(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... A West Midlands haulier which went into liquidation over six months ago is being relaunched under new management. Lloyds Transport & Warehousing was granted a licence for 10 vehicles and 10 trailers by Traffic Commissioner David Dixon; he...

No reprieve for trucks too tall for tunnel.(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... Dublin City Council has denied reports that trucks too tall for the Dublin Port Tunnel will be allowed to continue travelling through central Dublin for a year after it opens next spring. Tim O' Sullivan, executive manager of the Roads and...

Nothing funny about safety.(Letter to the Editor)
April 21, 2005... I feel compelled to respond to the letter printed under the extraordinary heading "Tarmac's Safety Farce" (CM 24 March). It is a source of concern to me that you should make light of our determination that our operations should be safe. It is...

Owner will have no more say in how business is managed.(MA Rees & Son)(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... A haulier steps out of the TC's way before his repute can be considered. Chris Tindall reports. The owner of a haulage company who pleaded guilty to failing to produce tachograph charts has taken the unusual step of removing himself...

Pallet network plans Continental growth.(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... The Pallet Network plans to move onto the Continent following the opening of a 21,000m2 hub at Rugby. MD Adam Leonard, says: "During the past year we saw 25% organic growth from our existing members at our previous hub in Leicester. This new...

Perhaps safety is worth all of the paperwork.(Letter to the Editor)
April 21, 2005... After reading Brian Alcock's letter of the week regarding health and safety guidelines and all the associated paperwork (CM 7 April: "Blame claim culture for safety hoops") I turned to the article on engine oils to find a photograph of a fitter...

Police make arrests in top criminal gang.(Cyril James McGuinness; Cormac McCaffrey)(Fermanagh Waste Recycling; Euroskips)(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... Court beckons for three waste company bosses accused of dumping 28,000 tonnes of waste in Northern Ireland. Anton McCabe reports. Three waste company directors have been remanded in custody in Northern Ireland after police said they were...

Rapid expansion programme leads to ; shortcomings in Scottish operation.(Doocey North East)(licensing)(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... AN ENGLISH COMPANY has had its Scottish licence cut from 20 vehicles to 17 for four weeks after the firm received a string of prohibitions during 2004. Stockton-on-Tees based Doocey North East was appearing before the Scottish Traffic...

Real-time online buying.
April 21, 2005... Manheim's Simulcast webcam link allows dealers to take part in auctions in any part of the country... without actually being there There was one stand that gave show visitors the chance to buy a vehicle from the other end of the country....

Scots coal operators fear rates shortfall.(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... Coal hauliers in Scotland have guaranteed work - now they want an increase in rates. David Harris reports. Scottish Coal's three new mines in Lanarkshire will give local hauliers work for years to come, the company said this week. The three...

Small promises poorly kept.(Column)
April 21, 2005... The government's about to get in again - whoever wins. Austin Caulfield wonders when it will realise what the industry needs... The election is just two weeks away and the political parties are out in force trying to win your vote. So far...

Spring sales are soaring.(truck industry)
April 21, 2005... Business was booming throughout the winter and demand is still strong - though as Steve Banner finds, the bonanza is not universal As winter turns to spring used sales remain buoyant throughout much of the country. "Business has been good...

Storm over [pounds sterling]3bn road plans.
April 21, 2005... Road construction is about to take off in Scotland despite some determined protesters. Emma Penny reports. The Scottish Executive is to invest [pounds sterling]3bn in Scotland's transport infrastructure over the next 10 years, helping to...

Strikes called off as new deal is offered.(The Rail; Transport Union)(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union has called off its strike action over pay at rail-freight operator Freightliner while a new deal is discussed with members. One-day strikes had been planned for Tuesday 12 April and Thursday 14 April but...

THEN THERE WAS ONE...(Lakeland Tankers Limited; Newell & Wright Group)(build light weight tankers)
April 21, 2005... Lakeland says it's the only volume spirit tanker trailer builder left in the UK but it's still joining the 'lite' club. Brian Weatherley reports. Weight Watchers has a new sub group - UK tank trailer makers. Nowadays you're nowhere unless...

That was the year...(Editorial)
April 21, 2005... CM was launched in 1905; for our centenary year we're bringing you stories from years gone by. This week we're back in 1918 and 1968. 1918 The German fleet mutinied; Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated and fled to Holland - the Armistice was finally...

Time on your side.(working time regulations)
April 21, 2005... Smart operators can make the working time regulations work to their advantage. Patric Cunnane reports from an FTA training seminar. After all the fuss and bother it seems the Working Time Regulations might be more manageable than the...

Time to take stock.(Working Time Directive)
April 21, 2005... How much will the Working Time Directive cost you? Emma Penny talks to one operator who says his rates will have to rise by 16%. Still doing nothing about the Working Time Directive (WTD)? Don't believe it will affect you? Wondering what...

Too much weight and no licence costs owner-driver [pounds sterling]575.(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... USING AN overloaded vehicle without the authority of an O-licence has cost a Bangor, North Wales, operator [pounds sterling]575 in fines and costs. Harry Evans, of Llandegai Road, Bangor, admitted the offence, and failing to notify a change of...

Tough on crime...(Vehicle and Operator Services Agency)(Cover Story)
April 21, 2005... ... tough on the causes of crime. VOSA has set out its stall with its latest business plan, promising increased efficiency, effective enforcement and better value for money. Dominic Perry sifts through its proposals VOSA chief executive...

Trucks in Holland, CPC in UK?(Certificate of Professional Competence)(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... A court ruling in the Netherlands could open the door for unscrupulous operators to flag out their vehicles and avoid employing local CPC holders. However, the Freight Transport Association is playing down the loophole, claiming the hassle of...

War on motorists continues.(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... Transport campaigner Professor David Begg is continuing his war on motorists following a speech in which he outlined his hopes for future government policy on transport. At his first conference since he stepped down as head of the Commission...

Widow pursues her husband's killer.(Allan Harrison)(Brief Article)
April 21, 2005... A widow fighting for her husband's killer to be brought to justice has had a boost from the French government. David Harris reports. A Yorkshire widow has received the backing of the French ambassador in her campaign to make a convicted...

[pounds sterling]5k reward for trailer info.(Public Notice)
April 21, 2005... Leeds operator Leonard Cooper is offering a [pounds sterling]5,000 reward for any information leading to the recovery of its stolen trailer and its load. The blue flatbed 40ft Craven Tasker trailer, fleet number T6, was stolen from Hunslet,...