Commercial Motor articles from June 2005

Commercial Motor archives from June 2005

Easy scheduling? Dream on.(Allan Morris Transport )
June 2, 2005... Brian Lee of Allan Morris Transport relearns an old and hard-won lesson: when the schedule's packed tight, no one's your friend... Traffic men and women have the ability to create a masterpiece of a sheet, usually having spent most of the...

Bad debt wastes time for UK companies.(United Kingdom)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Companies are being forced to spend valuable time chasing debts. Guy Sheppard reports. Small and medium-sized transport companies spend an average of two-and-a-half hours a week chasing unpaid invoices, according to a recent survey. The...

Cory sale fuels Exel bid gossip.(Cory Environmental to Montagu Private Equity )(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Will Exel's sale of Cory Environmental inspire bids for Exel itself? If Exel continues to sell-off non-core subsidiaries it's set to become a tempting target... THE ANALYST Exel is to sell its Cory Environmental subsidiary to Montagu...

Cover story.(Automobile warranties)
June 2, 2005... Some van manufacturers offer warranties on used products; we find out who and what they are. Finding out if used vans carry a manufacturer's warranty can be time-consuming. Some lump their returning vans in with their used car programmes;...

Crisis for death-truck owner.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... An owner-driver battling police for the return of his truck says he is facing financial ruin. The Foden eight-wheeler was impounded eight months ago after it was involved in a fatal accident. Paul Robins, who is based in Redruth, Cornwall,...

Diamond has lost its shine.(Diamond Express)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Franchised parcels carrier Diamond Express is in the hands of receivers, following HSBC's decision to appoint insolvency practitioner Kroll. Joint administrators at Kroll's Leeds office will now be handling the receivership of the company,...

Double wheel loss costs firm [pounds sterling]415.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... The loss of a pair of wheels has cost Phoenix Grain of Tarleton, Lancashire, [pounds sterling]415 in fines and costs. The firm pleaded guilty to using a vehicle when the roadwheels were insecure when it appeared before the Liverpool...

Driver bashed.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... A driver was assaulted when he disturbed thieves who were attempting to take his car transporter in the West Midlands. The attack happened at about 10.30pm on 18 May in Armstrong Way, Willenhall. The three male offenders, two white and one...

FTA helps advise local authorities.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... The Institution of Highways and Transportation (IHT) has teamed up with the FTA to launch a series of guidelines for local authority transport planners designed to help them move freight more efficiently. Dr Kit Mitchell from the IHT says the...

French protesters delay Irish ferry.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Four artics and hundreds of passengers were trapped on an Irish ferry for more than eight hours last week after French protesters refused to let it dock. A spokesman for Irish Ferries believes they were objecting to the company's employment of...

Heavier... longer... better?(Truck Industry)
June 2, 2005... The timing might be right for the introduction of heavier and longer trucks in the UK. Chris Tindall weighs up the arguments. On the face of it, the news that the Road Haulage Association is to request trials for 60-tonne trucks on UK...

Improving operator escapes action.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... One public inquiry was unfortunate, two were very unfortunate - three would be the end of the line. North Western Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell made this clear to Robert Perruzza, trading as P&R Pallets, of Widnes, when he appeared before...

Irish demand more mirrors.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Irish Transport Minister suppports IRHA in its campaign for blind-spot mirrors. David Harris reports. The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has welcomed the call by Junior Transport Minister Ivor Callely for all Irish hauliers to...

It's crime ; fighting time.(Truck Crime)
June 2, 2005... For the first time in 12 months overall truck crime has fallen. But is it rising on the policing agenda? Jennifer Ball investigates. Finally, some good news. Overall truck crime fell 10% in the past year - the police finally seem to be...

Let our nurses give you a free health check.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... CM has launched a major month-long series on men's health this month - and we're taking to the road to offer drivers a free health check too. Our initiative, which is being supported by Iveco, ties in with National Men's Health Week, which...

Let us know and we'll support you.(Letter to the Editor)
June 2, 2005... As much as I understand what Austin Caulfield has pointed out, I don't really agree with what he has said (CM 19 May). There are a lot of drivers and presumably hauliers who would stand and support the industry, but the biggest problem we have...

Michelin Man.(Chris Bloor)(Interview)
June 2, 2005... Michelin's commercial director Chris Bloor reckons you can save a fortune simply by keeping your tyres properly inflated. Andy Salter went to find out more. Platform shoes, steak, chips and peas and flat tyres aren't the topics you might...

Mixed blessing.(Customs & Excise merged with Board of Inland Revenue to form United Kingdom. HM Revenue and Customs)
June 2, 2005... The recent merger of Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise was designed to slash red tape, especially on tax returns. But how will it work in practice? Mary Fraser reports. The Chancellor's vaunted plan to integrate the Inland Revenue and...

MoD contractor cuts licence after drivers blamed jams.(Ministry of Defence)(Warisa Distribution Services investigated)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... An MoD contractor finds to his cost that congestion is no excuse for breaking the drivers' hours rules. Mike Jewell reports. A company that held a contract with the Ministry of Defence has agreed to cut its O-licence in half, after an...

More firms plan to take on drivers.(transportation industry surveyed)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Job prospects for drivers have improved significantly since last year, according to a survey by recruitment specialist Manpower. Its latest quarterly survey of employers shows that the balance between those planning to take on drivers and those...

Octogenarian had no control.(MTS's O-licence revoked)
June 2, 2005... Five-year O-licence revocation for out-of-control operators who "hired" an 81-year-old transport manager and sacrificed their repute. A firm which named a retired 81-year-old as its transport manager and committed a string of tachograph,...

On the trail of a trend-setter.(Citron Berlingo)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 2, 2005... We've been running the rule over a Citron Berlingo panel van we first tested in 2002. The Berlingo has proved to be one of the most popular vehicles in the car-derived-van sector, but this can bring problems on the used market as demand...

Parliament to consider road safety plans.(interpretation of traffic safety law)
June 2, 2005... MPs are to debate a more flexible system of penalty points and on-the-spot fines for foreign drivers. Sally Nash reports Introducing a fairer and more flexible penalty-point system for speeding and imposing fines on foreign drivers at the...

Quick action on truck crime squad.(beliefs of Bob Quick)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... A national police squad exclusively dedicated to fighting truck crime could be operational by early next year. The squad is the brainchild of Bob Quick, chairman of the Joint Action Group on Lorry Theft (JAGOLT); he estimates it would cost at...

Rail cuts cost on Geest job.(Geest North Sea Line uses rail transportation)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Trains are replacing trucks on a job for Geest, but it's not the hauliers' fault. David Harris reports. Trains are being used by Geest to replace trucks for freight between Tilbury and Birmingham because, the shipping line says, they are...

EVENTS.(Calendar)
June 2, 2005... RHA courses Working Time Directive 7 June Norwich Drivers' hours 14 June Colchester Digital tachographs 8 June Heathrow Logistics & warehouse training 7-8 June Birmingham Fire awareness 14 June Wolverhampton Contact: 01733 261131 Novadata...

SOE teaches best practice.(commercial vehicle maintenance standards)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... A prompt by the North West Traffic Commissioner led two industry bodies to publish a 'best practice' guide to maintaining roadworthiness. Beverly Bell approached the North Western Goods Vehicle Maintenance Liaison Committee about raising the...

Scots football shirts ripped off in Lancs.(Lancashire)(police investigates theft)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Police are hunting thieves who stole a truck containing 10,000 Scotland football shirts in Lancashire. The green Mercedes was stolen during the night of 20/21 May from the car park of the Four Alls Inn in Higham; it was en-route to deliver the...

Stiller firm loses steel work.(Corus Strip Products severs contract with Stiller Group's Carline Transport)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Stiller Group's South Wales-based steel haulage division Carline Transport has lost business to its rivals following failed contract talks. The Bridgend firm was working with the strip products division of steel maker Corus from its Port Talbot...

Supersonic copper.(mass media coverage of Mark Hilton and "Top Gear")(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Stuart Thomas has been reviewing the way the gentlemen of the press have treated transport recently; particularly Britain's fastest traffic cop... It was always going to be a good story. Take one police officer (boo, hiss), add a car...

T&G speaks out on overnight clamping.(beliefs of Jack Crossfield of Transport and General Workers' Union)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... A truck drivers' leader is urging government action to stop trucks being clamped while their drivers are asleep inside. Jack Crossfield of the Transport & General Workers Union has written to Transport Secretary Alistair Darling about a driver...

That was the year...
June 2, 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 1926 and 1976. 1926 The TUC launches a General Strike "in defence of miners' wages and hours" after mine owners cut pay...

The shambles continues...(taxation of transportation industry)
June 2, 2005... Following the election it seems we're in for five more years' hard labour, with more Weapons of Mass Destruction fired at our industry. Ray Dickson is not impressed. I have recently been looking at the Lorry Road User Charge (LRUC). What...

The temperature's rising.(market research of used vehicles)
June 2, 2005... As we look forward to the summer CVA's Charlie Wright has been reflecting on the state of the market. Apart from a slow auction at the start of May, trade has been busy busy busy. Last year everybody was amazed at how well business held up...

The thirties' shake-up.(United Kingdom. Road Traffic Act 1930)
June 2, 2005... We continue our series on the history of road transport legislation with the first of two features examining the legacy of the 1930s. Patric Cunnane reports. The thirties was a highly significant decade for transport legislation with three...

This is the limit...(speed limits)(Brief Article)(Column)
June 2, 2005... It absolutely filled me with incredulity that a police officer doing 159mph on a motorway can get off scot-free, even though he was not on an emergency call or chase situation. A truck driver doing a mere 59mph (if he was lucky) would be...

Tools taken.(crimes against A1 Pallets)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Thieves have escaped with a truck and a load of industrial tools worth over [pounds sterling]6,000 from a haulage depot in South Yorkshire. They struck during the night of 15/16 May, breaking into the secure compound of A1 Pallets, Brinsworth...

Traffic scheme could attract [pounds sterling]1bn support.(West Midlands Business Transport Group)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... A business leader is appealing to transport planners in the West Midlands to start thinking more innovatively to tackle congestion -including closing motorway junctions during the rush hour. Jerry Blackett, chairman of the West Midlands...

Undercutting rates undermines industry.(speeches of Paul Frampton of Framptons Transport Services at Road Haulage Association's conference)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... If operators want to boost profitability they must stop stabbing each other in the back, according to Framptons Transport Services boss, Paul Frampton. Speaking at the RHA's annual conference about his firm's Barcelona operation, he said...

WEIGH INTO THE 60-TONNE DEBATE.(benefits of heavy weight trucks)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Ok, we admit it - bigger isn't always better. But in the case of 60-tonne trucks the advantages are obvious: higher productivity, easier compliance with the Working Time Directive and lower cost per tonne carried. And ironically, the groups...

Walon waits on TC's decision ; after maintenance problems.(traffic commissioner)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Nationwide car transporter Walon must wait to see what action Western Traffic Commissioner Philip Brown will take against the licence it holds in his area following maintenance problems at its Southampton depot. The company, which is licensed...

Wild drivers get the chop.(Wild Logistics LLP dissolves)
June 2, 2005... Wild Logistics ceases trading and lays off its drivers - and they aren't best pleased. Sally Nash reports. Drivers for Wild Logistics LLP, the operator that blockaded a Tesco depot over claims of unpaid bills, have been told the Redditch...

Witness to fag snatch needed by police team.(Northamptonshire police investigates)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Northamptonshire police have renewed their appeal for witnesses following the theft of three cartons of cigarettes and tobacco. They were taken from the back of a truck which was making a delivery in Pratt Road in Rushden, at about 8am on 2...

Working on credit.(United Kingdom. Consumer Credit Act 1974)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Consumers will benefit from changes to the Consumer Credit Act - but how will they affect used vehicle dealers? The used vehicle industry is poised to see how changes in the Consumer Credit Act will affect the market. Sue Ellams, director...

You couldn't do it today.(Working Time Directive of European Union)(Brief Article)(Column)
June 2, 2005... Although early-retired from international or, indeed, any kind of commercial driving, I am fascinated by the latest EU restrictions under the Working Time Directive. About 10 years ago, I worked on light express transport, often going to...

...as its profits decline.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... The chairman of Christian Salvesen says the company is heading in the "right direction" after posting financial results that are broadly in line with expectations. Pre-tax profits are down just [pounds sterling]100,000 from 2004 to [pounds...

A SITE FOR MORE BUYS.(Site Equipment Demonstration)
June 9, 2005... The links between the haulage and construction sectors extend far beyond tippers and 'tradesmen's friend' vans - that's why CM runs Truckzone at the annual Site Equipment Demonstration... The Commercial Motor Truckzone at the Site...

DUBLIN's; dazzlers.(Irish Road Haulage Association)
June 9, 2005... The Irish Road Haulage Association's awards are being relaunched as a stand-alone event with a glittering presentation night in Dublin this autumn. Patric Cunnane reports. The search is on to find the best operators in the Republic of...

Don't risk your ; business!(Commercial Motor's safety conference)
June 9, 2005... It's time to make sure your risk management programme is firmly on track - and attending Commercial Motor's safety conference will be a valuable step along the way. Brian Weatherley reports Nowadays business life is all about risk...

Don't shoot the messenger.(fuel protests )
June 9, 2005... Peter Larner urges operators to remember who really profits from rising fuel prices. No, it isn't the oil companies. In biblical times, just as now, the most detested group of people were the tax collectors. However, these days they come...

Driver fined for fiddling his speed limiter and speeding.(Tampering fine)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... Tampering with the speed limiter in his vehicle and regularly speeding cost a St Helens driver [pounds sterling]415 in fines and costs when he appeared before the Ellesmere Port & Neston magistrates Michael Haynes pleaded guilty to four...

Drivers in pay row at Caxton.(Caxton Transport )
June 9, 2005... Up to 10 drivers have resigned from Somerset-based Caxton Transport following the company's appearance at a Bristol employment tribunal last month. It was cleared of illegally breaking an industrial dispute by doing back-door deals with...

Facelift for the mighty Transit.(Transit)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... Ford has fACELIFTED the UK's best-selling van, the Transit. It has taken the headlights from its smaller sibling, the Transit Connect, and fitted a new slightly cheap-looking grille. This is believed to mask a new common-rail engine which meets...

Fireworks firm in beauty spot sparks neighbours' objections.(O-licensing )
June 9, 2005... Local residents have failed to block the granting of an O-licence to a firework company based in an area of outstanding natural beauty in Ledbury. West Midlands Deputy Traffic Commissioner Lester Maddrell granted the licence to Firework Factors...

Frejus fire set to cause chaos over the Alps.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... International hauliers could be facing a year of delays after a tunnel fire in the Alps closed a major crossing point. Chris Tindall reports. One of the major alpine crossing points between France and Italy is closed following a fatal...

GREEN MAN'S ; BURDEN.(Air pollution control)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... One of the burdens of running a business in the 21st century is a responsibility to deal with the umpteen decades of environmental abuse carried out by those who went before us. Whether we like it or not, we must all shoulder that burden. If we...

Good trucks - guaranteed.
June 9, 2005... Last week we reviewed the van warranties offered by the manufacturers' approved used vehicle schemes; now we turn the spotlight on trucks. Buy a vehicle via an approved used truck scheme and you'll probably pay a little more than you'd pay...

Great Birthday Giveaway.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... Another month and another great giveaway as part of Commercial Motor's centenary! To celebrate the arrival of summer, we're giving you the chance to win one of 10 great Commercial Motor picnic sets for two people. Win one of these...

Home improvements.
June 9, 2005... Operators renovating their base or buying a new site can save money if they play their tax cards right. John Hiddleston reports. Over time operators may need to improve, refurbish or buy new sites. But how does the taxman treat the money...

EVENTS.(Calendar)
June 9, 2005... RHA courses Fire awareness 14 June Wolverhampton Working Time Directive 14 June Gloucester Maximise Your Profit 14 June Bradford Contact: 01733 261131 Novadata Working Time Directive and drivers' hours 11 June Braintree 22 June...

In the doldrums.(Transportation industry)
June 9, 2005... UK-based international operators aren't the only ones reporting a fall in activity; now many foreign operators are showing a decline. Does this herald an economic downturn? Jennifer Ball reports. The QUARTERLY bulletin by the Department for...

Irish hauliers are asked to move on.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... Four Irish operators have been warned that they will have to quit their operating centres inside Dublin Port. A port company spokesman says the companies, including BP McKeefrey, Seamus Treston and James Lawlor, must move because of a lack of...

Is it time to do away with red diesel once and for all?(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... The article concerning red diesel (CM 26 May) was most interesting, but once again the main point seems to have been overlooked by the government and everyone else: should there even be rebated fuel? As with the infamous 'backload rate' it...

Joint venture for MV Trucks.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... The first purpose-built MAN/ERF dealership is opened in the Medway by CEO Des Evans. MV Trucks, which this year celebrates its 25th year as an MAN dealer, has combined its ERF Medway and Aylesford MAN operations on a [pounds sterling]3.5m,...

Keep farm tractors on the farm.(Letter to the Editor)
June 9, 2005... Your feature headed "Red Sunset" (CM 26 May) made interesting reading. I was gobsmacked the other week when I saw a tractor with a low-loader carrying a crane so large that in ordinary circumstances I am sure it would require STGO plates. I...

Licence lost after TAO refuses to accept late cheque.(Traffic Area Office)(Mercian Skip Hire )(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... Birmingham-based Mercian Skip Hire has lost its appeal against the automatic termination of its licence because its annual fee was received six days late by the West Midland Traffic Area Office. In November 2004 the TAO wrote to remind Mercian...

Light-fingered driver gets fast track to jail.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... A truck driver has been jailed for his part in a [pounds sterling]75,000 theft. Jennifer Ball reports. A Hampshire driver has been jailed for a year for his part in stealing a [pounds sterling]75,000 load of Scalextric toys, which have...

MAN plant changes hands.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... As part of the ongoing commercial restructuring of the MAN Group the truck components plant of MAN Nutzfahrzeuge at Penzberg, south of Munich, will be under new ownership as from 1 July. The factory, set up in the 1950s, will be renamed...

Maintainance hits fleet size.(Ward Bros Steel)
June 9, 2005... Maintenance problems stretching back over five years have led a disciplinary inquiry to cut a Darlington operator's fleet by one third. WHEN Darlington-based Ward Bros (Steel) appeared before North Eastern Deputy Traffic Commissioner...

Mixed views on boom future.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... Industry pundits have played down warnings that the truck sales boom may be running out of steam. On the face of it the latest SMMT sales figures show a thriving market- sales of trucks above 3.5 tonnes GVW are up 4.85% compared with the same...

Never wanting for waste.
June 9, 2005... The Chartered Institute of Waste Management gathers at Torbay for its annual bin-fest. Colin Barnett reports. Summer is fast approaching and that can only mean one thing - it's time for CIWM. The UK's waste management industry will be...

Pall-Ex awaits sentence.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... Pallet SPECIALIST Pall-Ex has admitted breaching health and safety laws following an accident in which a forklift truck driver died when his vehicle toppled over while unloading a trailer. The firm will be sentenced at a crown court at the end...

Price rise is set to take its toll.
June 9, 2005... When the M6 Toll company reduced the truck fee by [pounds sterling]4, more operators began to use it. Now the price is going back up by [pounds sterling]1. Will it put them off? More than 50% of operators who are currently using the M6 Toll...

Private contractors blamed for worsening Scots roads.(Convention of Scottish Local Authorities )(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... The condition of Scotland's main roads has deteriorated significantly since private firms started maintaining them, according to a report prepared for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) but leaked to Surveyor magazine. The...

Ready for the; challenge.(Vehicle and Operator Services Agency)
June 9, 2005... VOSA's new chief executive is from the Army, and he's got the agency's future in his sights. Emma Penny reports. Ask Stephen Tetlow about the parallels between life in the Army and his new role in VOSA and he gets straight to the point:...

Rocma's 11 shiny Volvos.(Rocma Freight Services)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... Cambridgeshire operator Rocma Freight Services has taken delivery of 11 new Volvo tractor units to service its contract with packaging firm Mondia. The trucks - 10 FH12s and one FM12 - are all equipped with Volvo's automated I-Shift gearbox....

Salvesen offers online service...(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... Christian Salvesen has joined forces with Parcelforce and an internet design company to offer its customers an online shopping service combined with door-to-door delivery. The three companies hope to convince their customers to invest in the...

Slow response angers victim.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... A haulier tracked down his stolen truck but was still left out of pocket. Jennifer Ball reports. A West Midlands operator has blamed police after thieves who stole his truck loaded with [pounds sterling]70,000 of machinery escaped. On 19...

Suspicious inspection records may lead to curtailment.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... A company which produced suspicious inspection records at a public inquiry faces curtailment of its licence because the records appeared to have been made following a vehicle examiner's inspection. College Freight Services (Northern Ireland),...

TOO LATE TO LOCK UP.(Working Time Directive )
June 9, 2005... Barry Proctor warns that the Training Directive, like the Working Time Directive before it, is being ignored until it's too late - and he predicts that veteran drivers won't take kindly to compulsory classroom training. When the Working...

Take care with 60-tonners.(United Road Transport Union )(Brief Article)
June 9, 2005... The United Road Transport Union has urged caution over the possible introduction of 60-tonne trucks onto UK roads. A formal application for trials to start will be made at the next Road Haulage Forum by the Road Haulage Association. URTU...

Tanks on parade.(Federation of Petroleum Suppliers Show and Conference in Telford)
June 9, 2005... Tanker operators headed for Telford in May for the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers' 25th annual show. Andy Salter joined the masses Squabbles over who's got the lightest tanker, a new tanker driver training scheme and advice on the new...

That was the year...
June 9, 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 1924 and 1974. 1924 The Soviet Union officially announced that its leader Vladimir Lenin was dead. International...

the route.
June 9, 2005... masters Tim Maughan meets an operator who has invested heavily in double-deck trailers, and reaped the rewards. Double-deck trailers are specialist bits of kit; no wonder you don't come across that many of them. However, we travelled...