Commercial vehicle drivers are being treated as second class citizens at motorway service stations. That's the conclusion of the Freight Transport Association responding to a new Transport Focus research paper on improvements made to services for private motorists. According to the research, following investment by the motorway service area operators, many of the facilities they offer to the … [Read more...]
“Smog thinking” by councils will make emissions worse
Clean Air Zones are unfairly targeting hauliers and pricing trucks off the road and are not the way to reduce emissions, says a coalition of road transport trade bodies. The Road Haulage Association (RHA), British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA), Freight Transport Association (FTA) and National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), are concerned that local authorities are … [Read more...]
FTA wants clarity not confusion before BREXIT
Britain's Government must explain and take steps to keep the nation's trade moving efficiently post-Brexit or face delays and shortages of the products and services the UK relies on. That’s the stark warning from the Keep Britain Trading conference in London, organised by the Freight Transport Association. Leigh Pomlett, the organisation's President said, "The time for political … [Read more...]
Resilience threatened by uncertainties over future say FTA
After a year of resilient trading in 2017, the UK's logistics industry expects continued success in 2018 despite the uncertainties posed by Brexit and continued economic instability, according to a new report from the Freight Transport Association. The FTA Logistics Report 2018, in association with Santander, polled the opinions of around 500 freight and logistics businesses operating in the … [Read more...]
Earned recognition scheme gets FTA boost
The Freight Transport Association is launching a pioneering new service aimed at supporting operators who want to join the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency's voluntary Earned Recognition Scheme. The Earned Recognition Data Hub will bring together both vehicle maintenance and driver data from multiple sources and has been designed to be a low-cost, not-for-profit solution to help the … [Read more...]
Call for shake up of HGV testing system
Heavy truck and bus operators want a shake up of the vehicle testing system. The Freight Transport Associaton say there are not enough Government testers for an increasingly busy sector and it wants to see more trusted companies allowed to carry out their own examinations for roadworthiness. Alternatively it is suggesting privatization of HGV testing to recruit more engineers and cut down … [Read more...]
Plan to toll main roads through Bath
Two major routes through Bath will be tolled in 2020. The proposed Clean Air Zone for Bath could have a significant impact on the costs businesses in the area and those passing through on their way to popular tourist attractions and channel ports, according to the Freight Transport Association following the publication of the local council’s consultation document on the scheme. The Association, … [Read more...]
Tradelines 28 March
Government plans for rail freight are unclear, says the Freight Transport Association. Proposals in the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline but don’t contain targets for moving heavy goods on lines which are facing tough challenges compared to expanding use of HGVs. Leading garage equipment distributor and official UK agent of ATLAS automotive repair, Tyre Bay Direct, is pioneering a new … [Read more...]
Lots to sort in BREXIT talks, says FTA
The announcement of a Brexit transitional period ending in December 2020 will be a welcome relief for manufacturing and retail businesses exporting and importing from the EU, according to the Freight Transport Association. However, FTA has warned that there is still much to agree on the detail of the UK's departure from the European Union, and the EU's "nothing is agreed until all is agreed" … [Read more...]
Wales’ bus lanes could share with HGVs
A plan to let HGVs use bus lanes has been suggested by the Traffic Commissioner for Wales, Nick Jones. He has put the proposal in his annual report to Welsh Government and said the road transport industry is “essential for the ecnomy and provision of services.” The move would improve traffic flow in some locations but has been criticised by Sustrans who fear it will be … [Read more...]