Commercial Motor articles from January 2007

Commercial Motor archives from January 2007

This Week.
January 11, 2007... With an impressively detailed description of the mystery truck, the winner of our book review competition (CM 21 December 2006) is Barrie Marshallsay of Wareham, Dorset. He correctly identified the ex-US Navy Ford GTB one of 6,000...

This Week.(Bank of England raises bank base interest rates)
January 11, 2007... Looking at the year with interest How will higher interest rates in 2007 affect inflation, the UK economy - and road transport? Truck industry management consultant Kelvin Briggs reports. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank...

Tribunal confirms revocation.(Transport Tribunal accuses S&A Haulage directors of falsifying reports)
January 11, 2007... The Transport Tribunal concluded that a director of a tipper company "cannot be trusted to tell the truth". Michael Jewell reports. The Transport Tribunal has upheld the revocation of the six-vehicle licence held by Crewe-based tipper...

Impounded vehicle is returned to 'genuinely confused' operator Truck driver prefers big fine to keeping to drivers' hours rulesWide loads were outside permitted hours.(Legal)
January 11, 2007... The Packford Group won the return of an impounded vehicle after the Transport Tribunal concluded that director Andrew Packford was "genuinely confused" by operator licensing. The vehicle, loaded with office furniture and driven by Packford,...

Legal.(transportation laws)
January 11, 2007... Adam Purshall TM Logistics Martley, Worcs TML specialises in high-volume, low-weight loads such as packaging and insulation materials a full load can weigh in at little more than two tonnes. In that context, Purshall's wish...

Legal.(delay in approval of interim licence)
January 11, 2007... In the interim... Interim licences are designed to help new operators get off to a quick start - but it doesn't always work out that way. Adam Hill reports. Although the circumstances under which a Traffic Commissioner awards an...

APPRECIATINGDEPRECIATION.(Operations)
January 11, 2007... Most things lose their value over time, but some are forced - to just to keep accountants happy. Chris Tindall looks at amortisation. Amortisation it sounds scary and it's pretty hard to say after a couple of pints. But in the words of one...

WIN ACOPYOF...(Operations)
January 11, 2007... "Whether you area driver, transport manager,operator or anyone involved in thetransport industry you'll find this guideinvaluable." Commercial Motor Now in its 37th edition, The Transport Manager's & Operator's Handbook is the definitive...

Operations.(European Union membership of Bulgaria and Romania cause concerns in UK)
January 11, 2007... Bulgaria it would seem is heading the same way as Thailand. The Asian economic meltdown of the late 1990s began there when borrowing by Thailand, which was experiencing rapid economic growth, outstripped what it could afford according to the...

Operations.(Interview)
January 11, 2007... What got you started in transport? An ignition key! No seriously, I suppose it was my dad. Every holiday I had from school I would always go with him in the wagon it was inevitable for me to work in the transport industry. What do you...

Security at a premium.(Operations)
January 11, 2007... Taking steps to protect your vehicle from would-be thieves earns you lower insurance premiums, doesn't it? Well, no. David Harris reports. Investing in truck security makes vehicles harder to steal, but that doesn't seem to help when it...

This Week.
January 11, 2007... Correction: Our roadtest of the Daf XF105 (CM 21 December) contained incorrect residual value figures for the Daf. The correct valuations at three and five years should have read: Daf XF105 [pounds sterling]31,300/22,400 Iveco...

This Week.(Irish Road Haulage Association sees problems with the new Dublin Port Tunnel)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... At last - trucks are running through Dublin Port Tunnel After five years' work the Dublin Port Tunnel has opened - but the IRHA foresees traffic management problems. Dylan Gray reports. The long-awaited Dublin Port Tunnel finally opened...

This Week.(Pulleyn Transport buys Euro-5 emission standards)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... Incentives tempt Pulleyns to spec new Mercs at Euro-5 the generous concessions available to Euro-5 trucks running on Continental roads have prompted Reading, Berks, operator Pulleyn Transport to spend an extra [pounds sterling]1,000 per...

This Week.(PC Steven Robertson)(Obituary)
January 11, 2007... Off-duty cop dies in parcel truck crash Cumbria Police are conducting an investigation for the coroner into an accident in which an off-duty policeman was killed while driving a truck. PC Steven Robertson, who worked for Tayside...

This Week.(Vehicle and Operator Services Agency)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... Vosa plans action for tachograph conspiracy Vosa is bringing charges against Longridge, Lancs-based tanker operator TJ Slater, its former MD Terence Slater, former logistics manager Ian Slater and current director Carol Slater. It alleges...

This Week.(Taylors of Martley)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
January 11, 2007... Profits up while turnover dips Taylors of Martley increased its pre-tax profits by about [pounds sterling]1m despite a fall in turnover in its last financial year. The Worcestershire haulier posted a pre-tax profit of [pounds...

This Week.(Survey shows fall in rates for transportation of grain and sugar beet)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... Hauliers carrying grain and sugar beet were paid less per tonne last year than in 2005 even though their fuel and wage costs went up sharply, according to the annual survey just published by the Home Grown Cereals Association (HGCA). The...

This Week.(Iveco Magirus AG sells trucks to Phillips (Seahouses))(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... Phillips buys a pair of Stralis tractors Iveco has continued its recent run of sales success in the North-East with two trucks joining another well regarded fleet - Phillips (Seahouses). The sale of the pair of Stralises to Phillips...

This Week.(Armoric Freight International Ltd. moves to new location)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... Devon reefer specialist Armoric Freight International has moved to new premises which will enable it to diversify into ambient storage. The firm, founded in 1975, now boasts 1,765m2 of warehouse space - room for 1,800 pallets - at its...

This Week.(Clean Diesel Technologies Inc. provides fuel additives to Burgoynes)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... Burgoynes opts for CDI additive following trials Clean Diesel International (CDI) has signed an agreement with Herefordshire-based haulier Burgoynes to provide it with its Platinum Plus fuel additive. Burgoynes will be running its...

This Week.(Christopher Waite has his license suspended for hour offences)
January 11, 2007... Three-day suspension for 58 drivers' hours offences The North-Eastern TC was hampered in dealing with a Yorkshire livestock haulier by the interval since the hours offences. Mike Jewell reports. A livestock haulier that was said to be...

New hours regs to ease six-day week.(European Commission increases work hours for truck drivers)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... The EU's revamped drivers' hours rules come into effect on 11 April, replacing the existing regs that date back to 1985. Sally Thornley, manager of compliance information services at the Freight Transport Association, says one of the...

Moody drivers benefit from NVQ2.(Vocational Qualifications)(Moody Express)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... Drivers for Northumberland-based Moody Express have boosted their driving skills by taking Level 2 NVQs via roadskills development specialist Tyneside Training Services. Caroline Moody from Moody Express explains: "We train our drivers...

This Week.(Northgate increases revenue)(Stowaways caught)(St Peter Port Services buys new warehouse)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... M1 deal The Highways Agency has awarded a [pounds sterling]340m contract to widen the M1 between J25-28 in the East Midlands work is to start this summer. Fatal crash Steven Farish from Keswick faces jail after being convicted of...

Dangerous' rapist denied LGV licence.(This Week)(David Tarren denied LGV license)
January 11, 2007... The North-Eastern Traffic Commissioner has prevented a convicted rapist from returning to work as a truck driver. Mike Jewell reports. A truck driver with a string of convictions for violent offences against women - including some committed...

Widdowson Group goes into the red.(This Week)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... Leicester haulier and logistics operator Widdowson Group has dipped into the red with a pre-tax loss of [pounds sterling]319,716 and an operating loss of [pounds sterling]35,984 for the 12 months to 31 March 2006. These results are in...

TC blames MCT's demise on its former directors.(Matthew Cornish Transport)(Geoffrey Simms)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... Eastern Area TC Geoffrey Simms has blamed the demise of Felixstowe haulage company Matthew Cornish Transport on the former directors' "managerial and financial incompetence". He also noted that its trucks had been operated without insurance....

Accession restrictions.(United Kingdom Home Office refuses work permits to truck drivers from Romania and Bulgaria)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... Truck drivers from Bulgaria and Romania will not routinely be given work permits for the UK. Romania and Bulgaria became members of the EU on 1 January, but the UK has decided that their citizens will not be allowed to work except in...

This Week.(changes in licencing in road transports)
January 11, 2007... Brian Weatherley harks back to the bad old nanny-state days of quantitative licensing and wonders if, in hindsight, they were really so bad after all... I've been thinking about time travel lately (it's probably a guilty conscience). In...

Hill Hire buys 480 MANs.(This Week)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... The stagnation of the major rental fleet purchasing programmes seems to be ending. Following Dawsonrentals' order for 100 MAN TGAs (CM 14 December), Hill Hire is taking 480 MANs with an option for 420 more. They range from 7.5-tonne TGLs...

T&G and Amicus unions plan to merge.(This Week)(Transport and General Workers Union)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... The Transport AND General Workers Union (T&G) is set to merge with Amicus, the engineering and technical union. The leaders of both unions have agreed the merger in principle now it must be ratified by a ballot of members. This should be...

Unlicensed foreign driver blamed for death of six.(This Week)(Philip Woolley)
January 11, 2007... A fatal accident on the A52 in Lincolnshire last year has been blamed at inquest on an illegal Portuguese driver. Lucia Cockcroft reports. A truck driver was unlawfully killed in a crash caused by a migrant worker who was in breach of the...

This Week.(FedEx Corp. buys ANC Holdings)
January 11, 2007... FedEx UK deal reflects express consolidation The global express parcels sector is polarising into a small number of major operators - now FedEx has bought UK firm ANC. Dominic Perry reports. Just before Christmas US parcels and express...

What the future holds.(petroleum prices and government policies effect the trucking industry's future)
January 11, 2007... CM asked industry insiders to predict what 2007 will bring in areas ranging from heavy truck sales to government policy.... The road haulage industry and government policy Richard Turner, Freight Transport Association Unless we...

Managing change.(Vehicle and Operator Services Agency)(Tetlow, Stephen)(Interview)
January 11, 2007... Stephen Tetlow is charged with modernising Vosa - but the unions are concerned that this means "privatisation by stealth". Louise Cole speaks to the chief executive about the challenges that lie ahead. Stephen Tetlow probably slipped off...

Animal welfare is hauliers' concernOur transport workers have much to learn from Continental cousinsTyne and Wear freight site is for all.(This Week)
January 11, 2007... Now that another Christmas is over, perhaps we should reflect on just how everybody was able to have such a good time and on the unrecognised effort made by the majority of commercial transport workers. On a recent trip to Spain we came...

On the home run.(Used Trucks)
January 11, 2007... Known for its export business, Britcom International is now looking to win over the domestic market with "one-stop-shop" engineering and refurbishment. Kevin Swallow reports. When CMlast spoke to Britcom International sales director Paul...

Used Trucks.(Daf dealership F&G Commercials)(Brief article)
January 11, 2007... Dealership on a roll It is 12 months since Daf dealership F&G Commercials opened its used truck operation. Steve Banner pops in to see how it has fared. This month Daf dealership F&G Commercials celebrates the first anniversary of its...

Operations.
January 11, 2007... Limited-edition vehicles tend to fall into two schools of thinking. On the one hand there's the opportunity for the potential buyer to get their mitts on a high-spec vehicle for a little more dough, cunningly acquiring all those extras they...

This Week.
January 11, 2007... Renault revamps light CVs Renault has launched updated versions of its Clio and Kangoo vans and has enhanced its environmental credentials by launching biodiesel models of the Trafic and Master. The diminutive Clio Campus, based on the...

Legal.
January 18, 2007... CASE OF THE WEEK: "UNFAIR" TO OTHERS CASE STUDIES LEGISLATION: DISABLED DRIVERS EMPLOYMENT: LICENCE LOOPHOLE: EVENTS: LAW PLUS: RULES IN THE PIPELINE Legal 33 CASE OF THE WEEK: 'unfair' to others ...

This Week.
January 18, 2007... news 6 EXPANSION: TURNERS CEMENTS PLANS WITH BULK POWDER DEAL e_SIht'Unfair' LEZ will hit removers and showmen hardTC demands overhaul of the O-licence application system Minister says Vosa's 'light touch' days are numbered Birds Eye...

This Week.
January 18, 2007... CM's Online Health Challenge 'a success' The Commercial Motor Online Health Challenge came to an end last week - more than 400 people completed the 12-week programme to get themselves in shape for 2007. The programme, run in...

Winners and losers.(This Week)
January 18, 2007... Who sold the most CVs last year, and how will the market perform in 2007? Louise Cole runs her eye over the end-of-year sales figures and talks to the manufacturers about their hopes and fears. A year of uncertainty, upheaval and...

Vehicle suspension for firm with 25 prohibitions in five years Big spender can't build Rome in a day - but wins licence increase0% pass rate could affect licenceTribunal overturns licence curtailment.(Kenny Skip Hire)
January 18, 2007... A Lancashire skip hire company that spent almost [pounds sterling]500,000 on new workshop facilities and recruited an engineering manager from a Volvo main agent has had its licence suspended for four days over vehicle maintenance. Little...

Ready, willing and able.(Legal)
January 18, 2007... 2007 will be a big year for the enforcement of disabled workers' rights. David Craik provides a guide to the Disability Discrimination Act. In 2004 it became illegal for an employer of any size to discriminate because of a disability...

Tribunal refuses licence bid from Dove that's a phoenix.(Legal)(Dove Collections (UK))
January 18, 2007... The Transport Tribunal has rejected a Kent firm's appeal against a TC's refusal to grant it a licence. Mike Jewell reports. Dove Collections (UK) has lost an appeal at the Transport Tribunal against the refusal of its O-licence application....

Legal.(Goods Vehicle Act 1995)
January 18, 2007... Agency drivers under control Operators who believe that a loophole in the law relieves them of the need for an O-licence when employing agency drivers had better think again. Transport lawyer Andrew Sanderson explains. The Goods...

HOMES FROM HOME.(Operations)
January 18, 2007... Luxury flagship cabs may be the province of owner-drivers, but even the most penny-pinching fleet operators know they need to offer good kit to keep good drivers. Iep van der Meer compares four sleeper cabs that are comfortable but not...

Operations.(double deck trailers)
January 18, 2007... Double Double-deck trailers can significantly reduce vehicle movements - benefiting the environment as well as operators' profits. Dave Young reports on a growing sector. You might be forgiven for thinking most double-deck (DD)...

As if last week's great giveaway wasn't enough, more prizes arrived from our chums in the industry after we went to press. So here's your second chance to win - and remember, ite_SSRqs all in a good cause.(Operations)
January 18, 2007... New Year Giveaway extra 29 Can you name the 2006 British Touring Car Championships driver? Prize: Pair of tickets to any 2007 Dunlop BTCC round 30 Which driver famously attacked his Toyota Celica with his crash...

Operations.(new regulations for light weight trailers)
January 18, 2007... Light trailers in the limelight With new type approval regulations on the horizon, lightweight trailers are coming out of the shadows. Sharon Clancy reports. The light side of the law Speed limiters From 1 January 2007, speed...

Operations.(SDC Trailers)(Company overview)
January 18, 2007... Building UP on success Trailer manufacturer SDC Trailers has a new-generation management team which is determined to keep the company at the forefront of a changing industry. Kevin Swallow reports. Mansfield has a rich industrial...

Operations.
January 18, 2007... FREE digital TACHO solution CM has teamed up with Tachodisc to offer 50 copies of its revolutionary Clockwatcher digital analysis software and a three-month subscription - together worth [pounds sterling]175 - absolutely...

Operations.
January 18, 2007... First drive: Volvo tippers Tipped for the top Volvo took the wraps off its new FL and FE medium duty range at the Hanover Show in September - we've now had the chance to try the tipper variants in right-hand drive. Andy Salter reports...

This Week.(theft of trailer)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... Look out for stolen curtain-sided trailer ADR Express is appealing for information about a trailer stolen from its yard in Droitwich, Worcs at the end of June 2006. The bespoke curtain-sided trailer has a green body and curtains and a...

Concern over driver jobs at Yearsley as depot closes.(This Week)(Yearsley Group)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... Yearsley Group admits the closure of the Birds Eye depot in Hull could lead to redundancies among its drivers - but says it will attempt to redeploy them. The frozen foods business, which was sold to venture capitalist Permira in September...

Bulmers plans further growth.(This Week)(Bulmers Logistics plans to be spearheaded by new director Andrew Spence-Wolrich)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... Teeside's Bulmers Logistics plans further growth after expanding its fleet last year: the bulk and container operator is opening depots in Hull and Immingham. It has a new business director, Andrew Spence-Wolrich, to spearhead the growth...

This Week.(Action Cancer)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... Euro-5 Volvo to help fight cancer Northern Ireland charity Action Cancer has become the first UK operator to run a Euro-5 Volvo. The FH 400 4x2 Globetrotter XL will haul The Big Bus - a [pounds sterling]1.5m mobile screening unit. It...

This Week.
January 18, 2007... If the scale of the impact of digital tachographs on the road transport sector needed any further illustration, look no further than the SMMT's registration figures for 2006. Between April 2005 and April 2006 registrations of vehicles above 3.5...

This Week.(Edwin C Farrall Transport)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... Farrall's golden Globetrotters Chester-based Edwin C Farrall Transport is celebrating its golden anniversary by buying two Volvo FH12 6x2 Globetrotters. The distribution, storage and warehousing firm began life in 1956 with a single...

German trials identify problems with LHVs.(longer, heavier vehicles)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... Safety fears have been raised by the latest EU country to assess longer, heavier trucks. Dylan Gray reports. Initial results from German trials of 60-tonne trucks suggest that longer, heavier vehicles (LHVs) are not suitable for the...

This Week.(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... EWS predicts boom in UK rail freight Rail freight specialist EWS Network is predicting a sharp rise in the number of intermodal containers transported by rail. The creation of Yorkshire-based EWS Network, part of EWS Group, enables the...

This Week.
January 18, 2007... Peugeot first to announce prices for mini-Sevel Peugeot is the first member of the Sevel partnership to release UK prices and GVW ratings for the latest mini-Sevel range of vans. Prices for the Expert will begin at [pounds...

This Week.(Traffic Commissioner considers license revocation for Syntex)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... Syntex to face Eastern TC and demonstrate it is 'legitimate' The Traffic Commissioner will decide whether to revoke the licence of a six-month-old East Anglian haulage company. Chris Tindall reports. A Felixstowe company set up only...

This Week.(Finnish union case against Viking Line AB Oy awaits court decision)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... Euro court case ruling will affect flagging across EU The European Court of Justice is to decide whether to allow firms to flag out to countries where costs are lower. David Harris reports. A European Court of Justice (ECJ) case turning...

This Week.(Stricter enforcement of the working time regulations)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... Review may end 'light touch' WTD enforcement Stricter enforcement of the working time regulations could be on the cards to guard against operators abusing the system. Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman says that so far Vosa has...

This Week.(Yorkshire Forward, the European Regional Development Fund and Hull University to provide funds to a logistics institue opening in North England)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... Operators on the Humber to receive free logistics advice A dedicated logistics institute will open this summer to support local operators and provide undergraduate courses. Chris Tindall reports. The only dedicated Institute of...

Artic drivers' pay rises by 9.4%.(This Week)
January 18, 2007... The average hourly pay for category C+E drivers has risen by 9.4% since the Road Transport Directive took effect - but operators still identify a lack of qualified drivers as a major problem. According to a survey carried out by Incomes...

This Week.(Neil Crossthwaite of Ceva Logistics)(Interview)
January 18, 2007... Fact file TNT has retained a 5% stake in Ceva but it has no role in board matters TNT Logistics by any other name... TNT Logistics rebranded as Ceva Logistics in December. Chris Tindall asks managing director Neil Crossthwaite...

This Week.
January 18, 2007... 2007 International year of the van? With Ford about to launch the Transit Connect in the US and DaimlerChrysler involved in a Chinese joint venture, 2007 is shaping up as an eventful year for the global light CV market. Oliver...

IRHA and RHA slam 4.65m limit.(Irish Road Haulage Association and Road Haulage Association protest against new regulations)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... Plans to introduce a height limit on LGVs in Ireland have met opposition from two road haulage associations. Chris Tindall reports. The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has condemned its government's plans to seek approval from...

TC calls for tighter controls on O-licence bids yfufjjfjffff.(This Week)
January 18, 2007... Can TC's trust O-licence applicants to be truthful? It seems not - so maybe it's time to tighten up, if we are to keep cowboys out of the industry. A Traffic Commissioner is calling for an overhaul of the O-licence application system...

This Week.(British Association of Removers and the Showmen's Guild against London's low-emission zone)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... Removers & showmen hit out at 'unfair' LEZ The British Association of Removers (BAR) and the Showmen's Guild have branded London's low-emission zone (LEZ) as unfair - they warn it will put the majority of their members out of business. ...

This Week.(drivers opinions on health care services)
January 18, 2007... LRADLEY-LR [HEAD] Views from the sharp end Work/life balance [STANDFIRST] The public wants a 24/7 economy - but what does that mean for those who have to deliver it? LGV driver L Radley knows... "I need an early...

VW rejects MAN bid for Scania.(This Week)
January 18, 2007... Scania shareholder Volkswagen has rejected MAN's hostile takeover bid for the Swedish truck giant, saying it wants the companies to agree on a friendly merger. Volkswagen, which owns an 18.7% stake in Scania and a 15% share in MAN, is keen...

This Week.(Goodyear introduces new tire)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... 200kg more up front The latest tyre from Goodyear offers the potential to raise the front-axle capacity of a 7.5-tonner by 200kg. Its Regional RHS steer tyre is now available as a 225/70R17.5, with a similar weight and rolling...

This Week.(Driver crushed near Leeds)(Iranian Kurdish stowaways caught)(Ian Fleming to serve another year as chairman of the Freight Transport Association's Scottish Freight Council)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... AVT exhausts Our report on Astra Vehicle Technologies' replacement Euro-4/5 SCR exhaust systems suggested they were only available for nearside fitment. This is the case for ADR applications, but the company also produces a range of...

This Week.(lorry driver meets with an accident near Leeds)(Iranian Kurdish immigrants arrested)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... A 44-year old lorry driver was killed on Friday 12 January after he was trapped between his own 51-tonne artic truck and the wall of a house in Rawdon near Leeds. Three Iranian Kurdish immigrants were arrested at GPS Sprayers, Station...

This Week.(Groupe Samat signs new contract with Welsh company)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... French firm wins Welsh chemical deal Leading French bulk chemical operator Groupe Samat has consolidated its presence in the UK market with a "large, major, and prestigious" contract in Barry, South Wales. The hazardous goods...

Rollover driver fights sacking.(John Snell fights Biffa Waste Services)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... A driver is seeking compensation for unfair dismissal after denying that excessive speeding made his truck overturn. John Snell of Stratford-upon-Avon escaped with a shoulder injury after his 26-tonner overturned on a road near Southam,...

This Week.
January 18, 2007... Tesco gives green light to 50% biodiesel blend Tesco is running more than 75% of its 2,000 trucks on a 50% biodiesel blend marketed as Greenergy B50. Tesco is one of the first fleet operators to convert to B50 biodiesel. The move will...

This Week.(Transport for London recruiting senior managers)(Brief article)
January 18, 2007... Job of the week: help develop TfL for [pounds sterling]50k Transport For London is recruiting three senior managers for its freight team. These permanent positions, which include the role of freight development manager at an annual...