The government has given Vosa an extra £24m over the next three years to tackle dangerous foreign trucks on the UK's roads. Department for Transport (DfT) minister Jim Fitzpatrick says the investment will fund a 50% increase in the number of LGV checks carried out, as well as allow Vosa to open two new enforcement sites. "We're determined to clamp down on unsafe trucks. In the last two years alone we've more than doubled enforcement against LGVs on international
journeys and this extra £24m will allow Vosa to step up enforcement again. More inspectors undertaking more checks at more sites will make our roads safer for everyone," Fitzpatrick says.
The £24.3m, three-year package will fund:
Two new enforcement sites in locations with a high volume of high-risk LGV traffic - possible sites are currently being investigated by Vosa;
A 50% increase in the number of LGV checks carried out;
A near doubling of prohibitions, where vehicles or drivers are prevented from continuing their journey until the fault has been rectified;
97 additional enforcement staff;
A move to 24/7 enforcement checking at two sites - on the M6 and in North Wales - very shortly;
And the introduction of 24/7 enforcement at other sites over the three-year period.
Geoff Dossetter, director of external affairs at the Freight Transport
Association, says that while the FTA is still disappointed that the government has rejected the idea of a vignette or register of foreign trucks as they enter the country, the extra investment is welcome. "I don't think it's an enormous amount of money when compared to the extent of the problem of foreign lorries, but it is a step in the right direction." Jack Semple, director of policy at the Road Haulage Association, says an increase in enforcement is welcome, but it remains unclear what level the 50% increase is from. "The government is serious about this issue of road safety," he adds, "however there are still very few sanctions that Vosa or the police can impose."
The DfT has released the findings of the Freight Data Feasibility Study, which considered options for a database of foreign trucks. The report can be downloaded here.
