Proposals to ease jams on the M4 around Newport have been extensively criticised by lorry and logistics companies. Following South East Wales Transport Commission’s recommendations to introduce several congestion relieving measures on the M4, announced before Christmas, FTA’s Head of Welsh Policy, Sally Gilson said it they were “totally inadequate” “The initial recommendations made by the … [Read more...]
Newslines 4 November
According to a new study, it could be at least 10 years before autonomous vehicles and the sharing of them will become part and parcel of society. This, combined with a perceived lack of prestige in not owning a vehicle, suggests that the majority of today’s motorists aren’t yet ready for mobility concepts of the future and the study Being Driven: A study on human adoption of autonomous … [Read more...]
Welsh family business honoured for logistics
Two Welsh titans of logistics received the industry’s ultimate accolade and Lifetime Achievement Award when Tommy Williams and his son, John Williams, were honoured at FTA’s Logistics Awards 2019. The award recognises a lifelong commitment to the freight and logistics industry and was awarded jointly to Tommy and John in recognition of the transformative work which both … [Read more...]
Admin is not up to rubber stamping a no-deal Brexit, say FTA
Britain’s Brexit plans dont have the administration staff to back them up says the Freight Transport Association. In response to the report issued by the National Audit Office (NAO) on border preparedness for a No Deal Brexit, Pauline Bastidon, FTA’s Head of European and Global Policy, said, “The NAO report highlights the scale of the challenge for industry. "It echoes’ FTA’s messages to … [Read more...]
Clearing the air over Clean Air Zones
Plans are under way for cities across the UK to implement Clean Air Zones or similar air quality improvement schemes, which could involve prohibitively high charges on those using older HGVs and vans. London has proposals that could see, at the same time, many HGVs banned from the capital for having insufficient direct vision. As FTA, the organisation which represents the logistics industry … [Read more...]
Newslines 27 August
BMW, Mercedes, Tesla and Ford models made in the USA and exported to China will be more seriously affected as a trade war escalates. China’s counter measures to the US tariffs rising will take effect on 1 September and more will be rolled out on 15 December. VW is cleaning up its act and business in the wake of the 2015 diesel emissions scandal which has cost it about €30 Billion. The VW staff … [Read more...]
One in six driver vacancies go unfilled
Logistics businesses anticipate that 15 per cent of their current HGV driver vacancies will not be filled due to the nationwide skills shortage, according to the latest analysis. The 2019 Logistics Report, launched by FTA in partnership with Santander Corporate and Commercial, polled the opinions of more than 500 freight and logistics businesses operating in the UK and internationally, to … [Read more...]
Jobs going begging for mechanics and technicians
More than half of jobs for vehicle mechanics, technicians and fitters will not be filled in the near future, according to FTA’s 2019 Logistics Report. Staff shortages within repair workshops and vehicle inspection units are at crisis point. FTA will tackle this issue of 52.7% vacancies at its popular Fleet Engineer Conference, taking place on 11 June 2019 at the National Agriculture and … [Read more...]
Newslines 10 May
Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford said 20mph speed limits should be the default in residential areas. Speaking in the Assembly, he said main arterial roads could have 30mph limits but residential areas should be lower. Fatal road accidents are this year increasing in Cheshire. In 2018, 46 people lost their lives as a result of a road traffic collision but so far this year 22 people have … [Read more...]
Speak out on skills shortages in logistics, says FTA
Logistics businesses should take the chance to speak out against the worsening skills shortage, according to FTA, as it calls on industry to support the call for evidence launched by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Road Freight and Logistics. Sally Gilson, Head of Skills at FTA (right), the organisation representing the interests of the logistics sector, said, “FTA is thrilled the APPG on … [Read more...]