Road Transport

First-hand report from the fuel protest

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:07:57 +0000

Mark McAllister, managing director of Aldershot-based McAllisters Recovery and vice-chairman of the RHA Rescue and Recovery Group, was part of the fuel protests today, and sent us his experience of the event:

I led in a procession of about 30 recovery trucks from Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. We were joined by our colleagues from further afield to make our number close to 50.

We had nothing but support from members of the public and also the authorities. The demo was well supported across the industry and we hope its another example of how the RHA rescue and recovery group are encouraging hauliers and recovery sector to work closer together.

Thank you, Mark! We're hoping to get some more pictures from the event tomorrow - in the meantime, take a look at what some of the other protestors had to say.

Even more photos from the fuel protests

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:18:55 +0000

Chris Flynn, MD of CFT Services, and Colin Keegan from Great Bear Distribution

TransAction organiser Peter Carroll speaking at the event

Peter Harding, owner of Peter Harding Freight International; Peter Cullum, the RHA's international affairs director; and Maurice Smith, director of MJ Smith Haulage

Protest trucks crossing Westminster Bridge

Protest get as close to the Houses of Parliament as they can

Roger King speaks to protestors outside Parliament

Sandy McCracken gets his message across

Stewart Hosie of the SNP spoke to MPs about proposed amendments to the Finance Bill

More from the fuel protests

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:45:56 +0000

More pictures from Medway Services, on the way to the fuel protests in London today:

Peter Knight being interviewed by the BBC:

...and a fuel protestor preparing his truck for the rally:

Thanks to Steve Hobson for these photos.

Live from the fuel protests

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:59:18 +0000

RT.com's Steve Hobson joined hauliers on the London-bound fuel protest this morning - here is his report:

A small but defiant convoy of fuel protestors left the Medway services on the M2 in Kent to join the joint TransAction 2007, Road Haulage Association and Transport Association lobby of Parliament today at 7.30am.

Around 20 vehicles had gathered, led by TransAction organisers Peter and daughter Sharon Knight, but many more were expected to join the convoy after tipping in London.
Today is the first joint action by TransAction and the Road Haulage Association, which has until now refused to sanction mass protests.

"This is the first time we have had the RHA and the Transport Association alongside us," Sharon Knight told RT.com. "The time is now right for us to come together."

While the RHA is pressing the Government for a fuel duty regulator that would see duty fall as fuel prices rise, TransAction also wants an essential user rebate for hauliers. "The airlines pay no fuel duty at all, while fishermen and coach operators both get a rebate," Knight said. "Why not hauliers?"

TransAction is meeting the Conservative transport spokesman and Eurosceptic Robert Goodwill MP at 10.45am to ask if he will use Prime Minister's Questions to raise the issue of fuel duty.

There is also a meeting with transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick MP and former transport minister Stephen Ladyman at 4.30pm, but Knight said she was "disappointed" transport secretary Ruth Kelly had refused a meeting.

"I am hoping for some action from the government today," said Knight, "otherwise the industry will start losing jobs. If we don't get a rebate a lot of firms will soon be gone - we certainly will be."

Peter Knight agreed: "The Government must either support the industry or lose it. I just can't understand why they won't listen."

Sharon went on: "UK fuel duty is a disgrace. The competitiveness gap between UK and foreign hauliers is widening. We have no problems lifting cabotage restrictions but at the moment it is an unfair playing field. Foreign operators pay no UK tax or contribution to track costs."

This is TransAction fuel protest regular Manny Brooks: "I'm glad the RHA is finally on board. They have dragged their heels and it is about time they showed some solidarity."

We'll have more pictures from Steve as the day goes on

Today in Road Transport, Friday 27 June

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:59:43 +0000

There are a wealth of legal stories on RT.com at the moment, several of which are bound to have repercussions right across the industry. For example, operators will be pleased to learn that plans to abolish the Transport Tribunal have come under fire from transport lawyers, while more worrying is the story of the driver who lost his licence for 10 years after being prescribed an anti-epilepsy drug.

Also in the legal news section, one operator must prove itself before it can have an increase in its O-licence authorisation; a driver who stole an HGV licence is being held up as an example; and the owners of an Essex haulage firm are cleared of a £1.5m theft charge.

Over in the blogs, Will Shiers unearths an amazing photo of Canadian loggers in the 1920s; BigLorryBlog has a 'stapping time' with a 'wind-up merchant'; and Oliver Dixon asks whether it is game over for European truck demand - at least for a while.

Today in Road Transport, 26 June 2008

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:33:44 +0000

For one day only, I'm going to put fuel prices and protests to one side and concentrate solely on the Roadtransport.com blogs, which have had a decidedly international slant lately.

To highlight a few of the recent posts: Will Shiers goes to visit the last ever ERF (pictured) to come off the German production line; BigLorryBlog climbs a mountain in Chile in the name of heavy haulage and wonders why truck drivers in the US don't like wearing seat belts; and also across the pond, Oliver Dixon learns that Navistar is confident about its approach to the upcoming EPA 10 emissions limits.

The last ERF

After a short hiatus, the Operators' Blog is also busy once again - this week, owner-driver Dennis Fuller keeps it in the family and considers taking on a second lorry. If you are an operator and interested in sharing your real-world experiences with the rest of the industry - either on a regular or one-off-basis - drop an e-mail to Rikki Chequer.

Today in Road Transport, 25 June 2008

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:22:11 +0000

Fuel protests once again dominate the news on RT.com, with the industry 'day of action' on 2 July fast approaching and other regional demonstrations planned for the days leading up to it. Let's hope that road transport can put on a united front...

On the subject of fuel, the FTA's policy director has being arguing that duty rises are ineffective at reducing carbon emissions. Perhaps introducing longer vehicles would be a more welcome approach - and according to Professor McKinnon of Heriot-Watt University, "the door is still open" for a UK trial. Firms that can't wait for that might want to consider following the example of Scott Bros and using driver training to slash their fuel bills, or perhaps taking part in the trials of Oxonica's fuel catalyst Envirox.

The other of today's big topics is safety - a security alert scheme for truck drivers abroad is gathering momentum, and the UK's truck crime hot spot has gained its own 'truck watch' scheme.

Today in Road Transport, 23 June 2008

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:10:29 +0000

The parlous state of the economy won't stop some firms seeking to expand through acquisition - Watts Trucks, for example, has just increased its presence in South Wales by purchasing DAF Trucks and LDV Vans distributor Swansea Truck Centre. Similarly, private equity firm Laxey Partners is still in discussions regarding a potential takeover of TDG - and the deadline for offers has just been put back a week.

It has been a little while since tachographs featured prominently in the RT.com news, but today they pop up twice in very different contexts - rental company drivers are declared exempt from the tacho regs, and one haulage firm loses its O-licence after a VOSA investigation uncovers large-scale fraudulent use of tacho charts.

Over in the blogs, BigLorryBlog peruses pics from the National Transport Festival of Wales as well as some classic snaps of Fodens on heavy haulage work in South Africa.

Today in Road Transport, 20 July

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:19:09 +0000

More bad news for operators - difficult trading conditions seem to be having little effect on manufacturers' long lead times. However if it is the price of fuel that you are struggling with the most, don't despair - today RT.com brings you advice from the Road Haulage Association on when and how to add a fuel surcharge to your rates.

One way that an organisation of any size or type can stay competitive is through training, and this is something that Scania knows: it has become the first heavy CV manufacturer to be presented with a Learning and Skills Council training quality standard for its apprenticeship programme. On the theme of training and education, the winner of a transport planning competition for sixth-formers will have their university fees paid in full (on a transport-related degree, of course).

Over in the blogs, Will Shiers asks for information on a rare Hanomag RV that he spotted in the States, and Oliver Dixon considers what the consequences would be of Indian manufacturer Ashok Leyland targeting the Russian market.

Today in Road Transport, 19 May 2008

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:59:17 +0000

Today, RT.com takes an in-depth look at a couple of fuel-related issues. First, we ask whether there is any chance of the Lorry Road User Charge (LRUC) actually being revived, as the House of Commons Transport Committee is advocating; and second, we examine how the rest of Europe is tackling high fuel costs, country by country.

Also on the theme of fuel, it seems that hauliers may be able to challenge the government's policy of increasing duty by applying for a judicial review into the legality of its decisions. At least, one Norfolk commercial litigator thinks so.

There's good news for safety-conscious operators: a driver fatigue monitor is being launched in the UK, targeted mainly at night-time drivers; and Volvo has unveiled a full range of new safety features for its HGVs (as well as an improved interior for both the FH and FM ranges).

Over in the blogs, Will Shiers discovers that there's money to be made in recycling, BigLorryBlog shares some snaps of a charity truck convoy in Ireland, and Oliver Dixon wonders if European truck market growth will be up or down this year.

Today in Road Transport, 18 June 2008

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:58:37 +0000

Today sees significant developments in several long-running stories. Regarding the fuel crisis, TransAction is calling for transport firms to get involved with its two-pronged protest on 2 July, while agreement has been reached in the Shell tanker driver pay negotiations - we'll bring you the details of this soon.

Also on RT.com we have more on the Council of Transport Ministers' cabotage proposals, as well as on a possible sale of Innovate Logistics - a deal could take place within a fortnight, sources claim.

Innovate: Up for sale

In terms of product launches, Isuzu gives an update to both ends of its Rodeo pick-up range, and Volvo is now offering an in-cab driver security system on all its vehicles.

In the blogs today, BigLorryBlog peruses some snaps of a Scania P340 unfortunately involved in a recent bridge strike, while Oliver Dixon in the World Trucks Blog considers Ashok Leyland's expansion plans.

Today in Road Transport, 17 June 2008

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:36:42 +0000

The cost of fuel remains a major issue for almost all in the industry, and today at RT.com we analyse the four options for duty differentiation that were suggested by the recent PricewaterhouseCoopers study. But even if the government plumps for none of these options, there may be relief on the way for UK hauliers as the European Commission drafts proposals for tax breaks to lower the cost at the pumps.

Until then, however, we can expect more direct action from groups of struggling operators - tomorrow sees hauliers in Yorkshire holding a protest go-slow on the M6. Talking of direct action: the Shell tanker drivers have returned to work after their four-day strike, but their union has threatened another strike this weekend if a pay agreement is not reached by then.

Also today, Wincanton has abandoned its potential £233m bid for TDG, leaving the door open to private equity firm Laxey Partners. Over in the blogs, Will Shiers explains why 'tin-hunting' in the US is growing more difficult, and Oliver Dixon sounds the death knell for SCR in the US.

Today in Road Transport, 16 June 2008

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:41:24 +0000

On RT.com we like to start the week with a strong batch of product and manufacturer stories, and this week is no different. As well as getting behind the wheel of Mercedes-Benz' Sprinter plug-in hybrid van, we take a look at Citroën's three-part strategy for the UK and get Dunlop's take on its new range of truck tyres.

Elsewhere, things are less rosy both for drivers and operators. As we predicted not so long ago, AdBlue producers are raising their prices, and security remains an issue with one driver falling foul of robbers posing as police in Walsall. At least there's good news for young haulage and logistics managers - a CMI/Ordnance Survey study suggests that they value loyalty and hard work.

Over in the blogs, BigLorryBlog checks out photos from a small-town Australian truck show and is stumped by a snap of a mystery 4x4...

Today in Road Transport, 13 June 2008

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:28:25 +0000

Staff shortages and the price of fuel have dominated the headlines today.

Delegates at the European transport conference, the Truck Europe Forum, discovered that Eastern European hauliers are so short staffed, they have turned their attentions to Asia to fill vacancies.

The UK haulage industry has managed to avoid the worst aspects of the driver shortage because it has been drawing on the pool of Eastern European talent, but with an ageing workforce, it is not a permanent solution.

Elsewhere, the FTA has approached the Treasury with a series of what it describes as 'practical options' for decoupling fuel duty for HGVs.

Over in the blog-o-sphere, BigLorryBlog has a stroll down memory lane, talking about Britain's once fabulous truck industry, as well as uncovering some photos from yesteryear... ahh, the good ol' days.

Today in Road Transport, 12 June 2008

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:00:33 +0000

According to Dutch recruitment specialist Willem de Vries, truck drivers are some of the most contented members of the workforce. I imagine operators aren't as cheerful - not with diesel thieves on the prowl, the chances of LHVs ever appearing on UK roads looking slim, the threat of suspension or disqualification ever present, and increasingly difficult trading conditions making receivership a reality for some.

Today's good news seems paltry in comparison: a moveable barrier is being installed on the M20 to reduce journey times during Operation Stack; and a farmer has outlined plans to build a Continental-style truckstop on either side of the A14.

Over in the blogs, BigLorryBlog peruses a selection of HGV photos taken in Christchurch, New Zealand yesterday - and listens along to Iveco Rugby Radio while he does so.