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These are the latest links to pages and external sites referred to in Motor Transport.
Two of the UK's biggest cement producers are looking to slash the number of drivers on their books as they attempt to cope with a double-digit fall in demand this year.
The Innovate group, which collapsed in the summer, owed parent company Eimskip around £20m.
Fixed penalties could harm operators' repute
Operators need to have clear procedures in place to deal with graduated fixed penalties when they come into force next spring, the senior Traffic Commissioner Philip Brown has told MT.
Clipper Logistics unveils new image
Clipper Logistics has unveiled its new look following a 360-degree audit of the business - and has won the contract to run the consolidation centre (CC) for London's West End.
FTA poised to quit Treasury negotiations
The FTA is considering taking the unprecedented step of withdrawing co-operation with the Treasury over the latter's refusal to commit to decoupling truck fuel taxes from those paid by the general public.
Manchester congestion charge alternatives mooted
Opponents to the proposed Manchester congestion charge have claimed the current proposals will do nothing to reduce the level of commercial traffic travelling in and out of the city and have suggested an alternative solution.
Don't fear full cabotage, says RH Freight
Ian Baxter, MD of European specialist RH Freight, says that the UK transport industry "should not be afraid" of a fully liberalised transport market and full cabotage in the UK.
Romantiek and Banham take TC to court
A Suffolk operator, whose Belgium-registered trucks were impounded by Vosa, a decision that was later upheld by Eastern Traffic Commissioner Geoffrey Simms, is now taking the former TC to the High Court for misfeasance of public office.
Falling volumes are being blamed for the collapse of business-to-consumer parcel carrier Amtrak, which went into administration on 22 August, putting 900 jobs at risk.
Hauliers' appeals cut stowaway penalties
Operators are successfully defending stowaway fines after Home Office figures obtained by MT through the Freedom of Information Act show that the average penalty notice is well below the £4,000 maximum.
Removal firms are surviving the downturn in the housing market despite the domestic removal market being 40% down on last year, the British Association of Removers (BAR) claims.
Motorfast Distribution Services loses licence
The licence held by Rotherham-based Motorfast Distribution Services, which entered administration in May, has been revoked, and one of its two directors, John Bailey, disqualified from holding an O-licence for six months.
E Pawson sold five refinanced vehicles
Prior to entering administration, E Pawson & Son appears to have sold five vehicles that it had already refinanced.
Pallet-Track's growth leads to a larger depot
Pallet-Track, the youngest of the pallet networks, has unveiled the site of its new Midlands hub, which will become operational on 6 October.
Ballyvesey Holdings, the Northern Irish firm that owns Montgomery Transport and trailer manufacturer Montracon, has seen a return to profitability in its accounts to 30 September 2007.
Incentivising drivers can save you dosh
Offering cash incentives to drivers could cut fuel consumption by 20%, emissions software group Lysanda suggests.
E Pawson & Son Unravelled
E Pawson & Son had total debts of £3.5m when it collapsed earlier this year, according to documents just filed at Companies House.
Dentressangle site-closure talks commence
Norbert Dentressangle (ND) has started a 30-day consultation that could lead to almost 150 job cuts and the closure of three former Christian Salvesen depots.
Clients expect green fleets at no extra cost
Despite the current economic climate, being green is still a key concern for businesses and the majority expect their transport providers to bear the cost of greening their logistics operations, an environmental survey from Transport Intelligence (TI) reveals.
Parking fines should be run by central body
Power to issue parking tickets in London should be taken away from individual boroughs and given to a single authority, claims Mike Bracey, chairman of the Brewery Logistics Group.
Hauliers must keep the pressure on MPs
The trade associations stress that the industry must keep driving home its message despite the Chancellor's postponement of October's 2p/litre fuel duty increase.
Palletline plans £20m quality-controlled hub
Palletline is investing £20m in a new central hub that it believes will help lure customers and members away from its rivals.
Kelly announces £6bn package to fight congestion
The government is to introduce hard-shoulder running on several of the UK's busiest motorways as part of a £6bn anti-congestion package.
Surge in number of staged accidents
Liveried trucks are increasingly being targeted by criminal gangs who stage crashes to defraud insurance companies.
Macfarlane director starts new company
Stephen Cooke, the owner and director of collapsed Leeds haulage firm Macfarlane Transport Holdings, is back in business with a new company.
Drivers and warehouse staff at four Argos distribution centres are set to strike in a dispute over pay.
Loadmac: Use truck-mounted forklifts, save on fuel
A sea change in the way certain operators, such as builders' merchants, approach multi-drop deliveries could result in a reduction in fuel costs per vehicle of up to 32%, or more than £10,000 per year, according to truck-mounted forklift manufacturer Loadmac.
TK Fuels develops fuel-bourne catalyst
TK Fuels has developed a fuel-borne catalyst which, it says, can reduce NOx and hydrocarbons and improve fuel efficiency by an average of 8%.
Lobbying MPs helps hauliers' fuel battle
The tactic of lobbying ministers and MPs directly could prove an important new weapon in the battle for a lower rate of fuel duty.
Stobart will not buy Macfarlane Transport
Stobart Group has turned down the possibility of buying collapsed Leeds haulier Macfarlane Transport Holdings (MTH), claiming it would have been "onerous" to take on.
TDG says Laxey offer is best for shareholders
TDG has described the £203m formal takeover bid it has received from Laxey Partners as being "in the best interests of shareholders".
Steve Prince Transport awaits inquiry decision
Steve Prince Transport has told a public inquiry that any reduction in its licence following maintenance and drivers' hours problems would make the company financially unviable.
Stobart's Tesco drivers to consider new terms
Barely four months after taking over the transport operation at Tesco's Middlewich, Cheshire site, Eddie Stobart could be facing an employment crisis with more than 150 drivers being offered a choice between new terms and conditions or redundancy.
Eastbourne-based Southern Pallets, a member of the UK Pallets pallet network, has ceased trading this week and will shortly go into liquidation.
TC lenient due to director death
A Derbyshire operator has escaped without any action being taken against its licences after the North Western Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell acknowledged that it been through a "turbulent time" following the death of one its directors.
Express carrier TNT says it is well-placed to ride out the effects of any global economic downturn thanks to minimal exposure to the US domestic market.
Industry to present united front on 2 July
The road transport industry will present a united front at the Parliamentary lobby on 2 July as the RHA and TransAction will work together.
TDG takeover deadline extended for Laxey Partners
Laxey Partners has been given an extra week to table a bid for logistics firm TDG.
Recovery truck operators demand LEZ exemption
Vehicle recovery truck operators have demanded an exemption from the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) from new mayor Boris Johnson.
Food firms' deal could save 48 million miles
Up to 800 trucks could be removed from the UK's roads this year following a groundbreaking agreement between 37 of the country's largest food and drink companies to share transport.
Temperature-controlled specialist NFT Distribution is one of several firms that have been approached to purchase the assets of Innovate Logistics, which was put up for sale by its Icelandic parent company Eimskip, last week.
Unrestricted cabotage put on the back-burner
The frightening prospect of unrestricted cabotage being introduced in 2014 has been averted for the time being, although foreign hauliers have been granted the right to carry out a maximum of three journeys in seven days from 1 January 2009.
How the rest of Europe is tackling fuel costs
Operators in the UK are not the only ones taking to the roads to protest about the rocketing cost of fuel.
RHA calls for Alconbury truckstop to reopen
A former truckstop in Alconbury, which closed last August, could be revived providing a buyer views it as commercially viable.
Keep the pressure on for victory, urges FTA
The FTA believes now is the best chance the industry has had in eight years to get the government to introduce a fuel duty rebate, but urges operators to be patient.
Haulier angry at police treatment of drivers
A haulier has accused police of heavy-handed tactics after several drivers were given verbal warnings for driving too slowly during a fuel protest last week on the M60 and M602.
Manchester's proposal: 'another tax on trucks'
Trafford Park-based haulier AK Worthington is campaigning for a referendum on the proposed Manchester congestion charge, describing it as "yet another tax on trucks".
As reported in MT last week, trials of longer, heavier vehicles (LHVs) have been rejected by the government following the publication of a DfT-commissioned study by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).
FTA pushes for fuel duty decoupling talks
The Chancellor will be told this week that introducing a fuel duty rebate can be done at a third of the original estimated cost to the Treasury.
LHV proposals rejected by Government
The government has rejected the concept of longer, heavier vehicles (LHVs) on UK roads as "impractical" on both a "permanent or trial basis".
Scots hauliers crushed by ferry service closure
A Scottish haulier has described the decision to end the daily ferry service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge as a "devastating blow".
Van CO2 emissions data faces UK delay
Despite receiving verbal confirmation that van manufacturers will release CO2 emission figures, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) is disappointed the figures won't be published until the autumn at the earliest.
Listen and act now: that is the message TransAction delivered to the Prime Minister on Tuesday as several hundred trucks parked up on the A40.
Unrestricted cabotage could destroy UK sector
The UK road haulage industry has been dealt a potential death blow from Brussels after MEPs voted last week to introduce unrestricted cabotage in just six years' time.
Transport causes 22% of workplace fatalities
More than 6,000 workplace transport injuries were reported in the UK during 2006/07, along with 66 fatalities.
Healthy profit at Business Post
Business Post Group has posted healthy financial results - despite a fall in turnover in its parcels division.
The RHA and FTA insist they will not lead next Tuesday's Park Lane fuel protest despite overwhelming support for such a move in last week's MT poll.
VOSA wins illegal cabotage appeal
VOSA has won a major boost in its battle against illegal cabotage after the Court of Appeal threw out a challenge to its impounding of seven illegally operated trucks.
Stobart on track for six new rail services
Eddie Stobart is looking to launch another six train services this year to add to its existing rail freight operation for retailer Tesco, according to chief executive Andrew Tinkler.
Hauliers must consider new Type Approval regs
Operators are being urged to discuss the forthcoming European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) regulations with their vehicle suppliers to make sure they are up to speed with the proposed changes.
The managing director of collapsed transport company JDR Distribution has admitted to trading while insolvent and concealing the true position of the management accounts.
TransAction blasts the RHA for inaction
The simmering row between pressure group TransAction and the RHA has reignited after the trade association refused to support TransAction's planned legal demonstration on 27 May.
Former Nightfreight CEO Steve Allen and group services director Carl Bowcock have resurfaced in the industry following their departure from the Willenhall-based carrier last year.
Seafield Logistics is considering possible acquisitions, but has "not reached any agreements" at present.
The Department for Transport (DfT) denies claims it has attempted to influence the findings of the long-awaited study into longer, heavier vehicles (LHVs).
Fuel price hedging gathers momentum
With no let up in the spiralling cost of diesel, operators are considering hedging fuel prices.
Nightfreight says it is pressing ahead with expansion of its two-man delivery network despite increasing evidence of an economic downturn and what it describes as a "difficult" 2007.
Multimodal freight wins 'green' vote
At last month's Multimodal 2008 exhibition, held at the NEC, well established 3PLs were unequivocal in their support for multimodal freight movements, a concept that has long been the norm in Europe.
TransAction says Burns Report offers answers
With nearly 100 trucks occupying London's Park Lane, the turnout for Tuesday's Trans-Action fuel price demonstration exceeded the organiser's expectations.
JDR collapses into administration
JDR Distribution has become the latest firm to collapse into administration - 10 months after it rebranded as 24-hour delivery service moved4u.
Leading supporters of longer heavier vehicles (LHVs) say they will continue to fight for on-road trials of the concept in the UK.
Caledonian assets go for just £2,000
The assets of collapsed Scottish haulier Caledonian Express (Railfreight) were sold to a new company run by former director John Nixon for just £2,000, despite it having run up debts of almost £750,000, MT can reveal.
Ramage Distribution: the facts behind its demise
Ramage Distribution's demise can be traced back as far as 2004, according to information seen by MT.
Innovate plans legal action to stop gossip
Innovate Logistics says it is consulting its lawyers with a view to starting legal action after a series of false rumours regarding financial problems at the company swept the CV Show last week.
Grangemouth oil workers poised to strike
As MT went to press, a planned strike by workers at Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland, which could cripple supplies for a month, hung in the balance.
Transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick has set VOSA a target of achieving a 15% increase in the number of dangerous vehicles and drivers taken off the road during the financial year 2008-09 compared with 2007-08.
Ramage and Pawson go into administration
Almost 600 jobs have been lost in the past week with both Ramage Distribution and E Pawson & Son entering administration.
TFL: First two months of LEZ "very encouraging"
Fewer non-compliant commercial vehicles are entering the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ), according to Transport for London (TfL).
Helping the environment can boost profit
Airfreight specialist Circle Express claims companies that pay attention to their carbon footprint can also help boost their profit, as the firm posted its latest results.
London Mayor frontrunners talk haulage
With two weeks to go until the London Mayoral Election, MT puts the three main candidates on the spot to help London-based operators decide who to vote for.
Hauliers given weapon to fight penalty charges
Hauliers now have a strong defence against penalty charge notices (PCNs), as the Department for Transport (DfT) has adopted protocols drawn up by the FTA.
Digitach driver cards malfunction in wallets
Treasury MP sees effect of fuel duty
Angela Eagle, exchequer secretary to the Treasury, took the unusual step of visiting South Wales haulage firm Owens Road Services last week to find out first-hand how fuel tax rises affect the industry.
Tougher foreign truck enforcement essential
UK is ND's biggest market outside France
Transport firms have been urged to tighten up their safety procedures to cut down on the amount of accidents involving trucks and cyclists.
Stobart's airport plans puzzle industry analyst
Analyst Transport Intelligence (TI) says it is puzzled by Stobart Group's announcement that it is planning to add Carlisle Airport to its portfolio.
UK and France debate freight needs
The future freight needs of Kent have been summed up in an independent report and handed to Kent County Council (KCC) to drive forward following the closure of the Channel Corridor Partnership (CCP) tomorrow.
Wincanton is investing more than £5m in a second Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling facility, which will open in the Midlands by the end of the year.
Pallet networks face HSE scrutiny
Pallet networks are having to tighten up their operations following the introduction of new measures by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).
Tories' LRUC must be cost-neutral
Just one day after Labour gave up on a vignette scheme to charge foreign trucks for using UK roads, the Conservatives re-confirmed their interest in a lorry road user charge (LRUC).
Kent's freight traffic set to soar
Freight traffic in Kent will double from 3.5 million truck movements in 2005 to 7.1 million by 2030, attendees at a freight summit in Ashford on Tuesday learned.
Hoddesdon move "challenging" says Cert
Cert Octavian admits it has incurred "significant costs" as a result of its move to a new facility in Hoddesdon.
The company - formed by a merger between ports group Westbury and Eddie Stobart last year - has bought James Irlam & Sons for £59.9m paid £10m cash for transport engineering specialist WA Developments and also entered into an option to acquire Carlisle Airport, for £15m.
UK plagued by highest truck operating costs
The UK has the highest truck operating costs in Europe - with the exception of the Netherlands, according to research by NERA Economic Consulting for the FTA.
Kuehne+Nagel confirms Pall-Ex partnership
Kuehne+Nagel has formalised its relationship with Pall-Ex. K+N chief executive, North-West Europe, Peter Ulber says the two have formed a "more strategic partnership".
Roadferry MD pleased with DSV takeover
Jim McGhee, MD of Roadferry, says he is delighted that the company is now back in the hands of a transport firm following its acquisition by DSV from parent company Peel Ports.
URTU fears over hedge fund bid
TDG has stressed that the offer it received from hedge fund Laxey this week is at an early stage and discussions are "ongoing".
Scania customers welcome VW takeover
Scania customers in the UK have welcomed Volkswagen's purchase of the controlling interests in the truckmaker.
TfL pleased with first month of LEZ
The London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) will earn Transport for London (TfL) almost £1m per week if non-compliance rates remain at their current level, MT has discovered.
Tesco in warehouse controversy
Plans to build a giant warehouse for Tesco to consolidate and distribute goods via thousands of LGV movements have come under fire from residents and MPs.
Pickfords moves on despite sale rumour
Pickfords insists it is business as usual following reports that it could be sold to stave off financial meltdown.
Owens: fuel duty will mean job cuts
A South Wales haulier claims it may be forced to cut up to 100 jobs if the government goes ahead with its proposed 2p/litre fuel duty increase.
Deutsche Post chief executive quits after tax probe
Deutsche Post, the parent company of DHL Exel, has been rocked this week by the resignation of its chief executive officer Klaus Zumwinkel after the German authorities began investigating him over alleged tax evasion.
Ireland unveils licensing revamp
The irish Republic has announced a radical shake-up of the testing, checking and enforcement regime for commercial vehicles.
Darling keeps silent over fuel duty rise
A deferral of the 2p/litre increase in fuel duty from 1 April until the autumn is the best the industry can hope for following the Freight Transport Association's (FTA) and Road Haulage Association's (RHA) meeting with Chancellor Alistair Darling.
Jobs go as Whitbread plans to outsource
Hundreds of driver and warehouse redundancies look likely following a hospitality company's plans to outsource its entire food logistics division to Kuehne+Nagel (K+N).
Silent night trial a hit with Sainsbury's
Supermarket chain Sainsbury's claims its recent trial of night-time deliveries has proved successful and could be replicated elsewhere in the UK.
Trailer-towing vans may be lawbreakers
Thousands of van operators that tow trailers are falling foul of the law by failing to fit and use tachographs, and could face hefty fines or even imprisonment as a result. This is the stark warning of digital tachograph manufacturer Actia.
FTA calls for action on fuel duty rate hike
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has launched a wide-ranging campaign in a bid to get the government to act over the ongoing issue of the UK's high rate of fuel duty.
Controversial London LEZ opens for business
London once again becomes the focus of attention for cities across the world this week as its Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was launched, targeting thousands of haulage operators.
Mercedes to offer driver CPC training
Mercedes-Benz has announced its plans to privde driver CPC training from next year. The company says it will offer a mix of in-cab and class-room learning from September 2009 at 30 to 40 locations across the country.
Tribunal ends dairy firm licence mix-up
A firm has partially succeeded in its appeal against a reduction of the number of tricks it is allowed to run because of a mathematical mistake by a TC.
FTA slams France over x-ray machine ban
Authorities in France have banned UK immigration officials in Calais from using x-ray machines to scan for illegal immigrants in trucks.
Is the UK ready for an oil shortage?
The cost of oil could pass the $300/barrel mark if there is a 15% shortfall in the supply of crude in the future - and most research suggests a much greater shortfall than that within 20 years.
Palletforce to build new 'squarer' hub
Pallet network Palletforce has announced plans for a new hub in Burton-on-Trent. Work on the 365,000ft2 single warehouse is expected to start in February, with operations scheduled to begin before the end of the year.
Caledonian Express (Railfreight) collapses
As MT went to press it was confirmed that railfreight business Caledonian Express (Railfreight) is insolvent and will go into administration shortly.
Firms hurry to seal deals ahead of tax changes
This week has seen a flurry of merger and takeover activity in the road transport market, with three medium-to-large firms changing hands. Wincanton Group led the way with its £25m swoop on container haulier Hanbury Davies last Thursday.
Operators given month's grace for LEZ
Transport for London (TfL) is giving a month's grace to operators who have ordered retro-fit equipment or vehicles that comply with the Low Emission Zone but have not yet received them.
Wincanton seals £25m Hanbury Davies deal
Logistics firm Wincanton continued its aggressive acquisition strategy this week with the £25m purchase of container firm Hanbury Davies (HD).
Corporate manslaughter scaremongering warning
Hauliers are being warned about possible scaremongering tactics ahead of the introduction of new corporate manslaughter legislation.
Transport for London (TfL) says a key part of its recently unveiled Freight Plan could be rolled out across the UK and even Europe if it proves a success, MT can exclusively reveal.
Government denies awareness campaign has failed
The government denies its campaign to promote new animal transportation regulations has been a failure following claims by independent assessors that industry awareness is lacking.
£720m training pot up for grabs
Transport firms are missing out on millions of pounds of government funding for staff training, according to Skills for Logistics (SfL).
Dawson fits free Axscend trailer tracking
Van sales increase, heavy trucks falter
There was a record demand for new vans in the UK last year, but there was a drop in heavy truck registrations.
Licence-dodging firms lose at appeal
Several related haulage firms involved in illegal cabotage in order to dodge UK licensing regulations have seen the impounding of their trucks and trailers upheld by the transport tribunal.
Hauliers welcome new Forth Road bridge
Hauliers in Scotland have welcomed the announcement that a new road bridge will be built across the Firth of Forth.
Leading UK haulage firm Eddie Stobart revealed a sharp rise in both turnover and pre-tax profit prior to its merger with Westbury Property Group and subsequent stock market listing.
Driver's pay up by a median 4.5%
Driver pay levels are up by a median 4.5% - ahead of inflation, the rest of the industry and the whole economy.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has hit out at several London boroughs who are changing the rules governing loading and unloading without consulting operators.
Cranleigh Freight Services (CFS) says that ongoing delays to a public inquiry (PI) dealing with its plans to expand its Dunsfold, Surrey headquarters are putting jobs at risk.
Pallet growth report 'optimistic'
A growth of 25% in volumes for the pallet network sector in 2008 has been branded "optimistic" by some of the industry's main players.
Ceva pay deal rejected by members
Members of trade union Unite working for Ceva Logistics have rejected a two-year pay deal increasing rates by 9%.
3PLS are an 'emergency stop-gap'
Third-party haulage and warehousing operations are only used as emergency stop-gaps by non-transport businesses, according to delegates at Motor Transport's latest Fraikin-sponsored roundtable debate.
Salvesen improves ahead of ND takeover
Christian Salvesen’s final set of results as an independent business show a boost in profit.
eBay style used vehicle actuion site launched
Municipal vehicle specialist Cooper Group UK has launched an Ebay-style vehicle auction website: http://www.munie.co.uk./
Serious allegations have been made against Reid Transport following its collapse last week.
Planning bill set to speed up decisions
Essential road building projects that ease congestion could have more chance of coming to fruition after the government published proposals for ref-orming the planning system.
Innovate Logistics moves into ambient sector
Pete Osborne, the boss of Innovate Logistics, has revealed that the firm wants to run a retail regional distribution centre (RDC) in the future and believes it can do it better than some of the big logistics firms.
Meachers proposes Southampton consolidation centre
Southampton could house a consolidation centre for LGVs delivering goods to city centre shops if a scheme suggested by local haulier Meachers Transport gets the go-ahead.
RHA issues fuel protest poll to members
The row between the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and pressure group Transaction 2007 has intensified this week after the RHA issued a call to "put up or shut up" and sent out an email poll requesting members' views on protest action.
Culina and Baylis to merge in the New Year
Culina Logistics Limited, as the company will be known, will be part-owned by TML Invest based in Luxembourg – the investment arm of Müller Dairy Group owner Theo Müller.
Nightfreight says it is "concentrating on the fundamentals of service" to push forward in 2008 and beyond. Managing director Peter Louden says the two elements the firm is focusing on are excellent service levels and the rewarding, training and development of staff.
Business Post to change courier brand
Business Post Group chief Guy Buswell has reaffirmed his position that the UK Mail brand is the future for the company.
RHA outlines discretionary VAT proposal
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is asking the European Union to allow member states to introduce a discretionary VAT rate on diesel fuel, in response to soaring fuel prices.
Operators to run Mitsubishi Fuso Canter hybrid truck trials
TNT, Tesco, DHL and the Royal Mail are among several high-profile companies about to embark on hybrid truck trials in the UK. Each operator has purchased its own Mitsubishi Canter Eco Hybrid 7.5-tonner (subsidised by Mercedes-Benz), which will go into service in London in early 2008.
Wincanton chief doesn't rule out further acquisitions
Wincanton chief executive Graeme McFaull says last week's acquisition of Swales Haulage is by no means the end of its buying spree.
Suttons to focus on International Transport
Suttons Transport Group is investing heavily in its international business as it is the group's growth area, says managing director Andrew Palmer.
Two West Midlands hauliers have hit out at the administration of London's Congestion Charge after they were billed for sending trucks into the zone which were actually nowhere near the capital.
RHA rounds on Transaction 2007 after e-mail attack
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has hit out at pressure group Transaction 2007 and its increasingly vitriolic e-mail campaign against fuel duty rises which has recently attacked the association.
VOSA steps up checks on defective vehicles
VOSA is stepping up its campaign against defective foreign trucks arriving at UK ports.
The man in charge of the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) has warned firms that they "cannot afford to wait any longer" to upgrade their non-compliant vehicles.
Driver CPC could promote unfair competition
Foreign drivers could end up facing little more than a slap on the wrist if they break rules surrounding the new driver training legislation in the UK, while UK drivers and operators could face a £1,000 fine.
AA and GMB in drivers' hours row
A furious row has broken out between the GMB trade union and the AA over drivers' hours.
Hard Shoulder running extensions confirmed
Transport secretary Ruth Kelly last week confirmed that the M42 hard shoulder running pilot launched last year will be extended to other parts of the road network.
The European Road Transport Show 2007 had a clear environmental theme, with alternative fuel/driveline trucks being exhibited by almost all of the major OEMs.
Traffic commissioners fear for their independence
Tesco has become the first major UK retailer to transport freight by canal.
Boalloy was on verge of launching new curtainsider
Langdon Transport opens new facility
Langdon Transport has opened new premises as part of its expansion plans.
Ceva Logistics fined £120k for driver death
Ceva Logistics has been hit with a £120,000 fine after a truck driver died when he fell off a vehicle and plunged two metres onto concrete.
DHL Exel trials electric van for Ikea
DHL Exel Supply Chain's home delivery division is conducting tests for Ikea with a Smith Newton battery-powered 7.5-tonner.
Tachosys has launched Digi-fob, a handheld digital tachograph card reader, which is designed to help drivers avoid infringements.
DfT backs down from Vignette scheme
The government has seemingly backed away from plans to charge foreign trucks for using UK roads, claiming its favoured vignette scheme is not sufficiently cost-effective.
Wincanton receives £13.7m in damages
Wincanton has been awarded £13.7m following a financial dispute with a customer.
Bio-Diesel could break Euro 4 NOx limit
New trucks could end up running at dramatically redu-ced power levels if they use high-blend bio-diesel, Volvo has warned.
Volvo's European president Claes Nilsson says alternative fuels and new driveline technology are vital if the industry is to become greener and more sustainable.
Norbert Dentressangle bids for Christian Salvesen
French transport giant Norbert Dentressangle (ND) has emerged as the shock bidder for UK logistics firm Christian Salvesen.
Initiatives to offset fuel duty don't help hauliers
Government initiatives designed to "support UK hauliers" are too little, too late in light of the impact of the latest fuel duty hike, say industry bodies.
Foulger Transport is confident about its future prospects after announcing an increase in profit.
Although the V8 was noticeable by its absence, we drove two six-cylinder examples of each model, kicking off with a TGX XLX 44-tonner, MAN's future volume seller.
Reject LHV trials says rail freight group
A rail freight lobby group has been accused of launching a misleading media campaign in a bid to persuade the government not to trial longer heavier vehicles (LHVs).
£130m estimate for Forth Bridge demolition
The demolition of the Forth Road Bridge could cost nearly £130m - according to a team of transport experts.
Traffic Commisioners to present free seminars
Traffic Commissioners (TCs) are holding free seminars across the country for haulage operators to learn more about their role, maintain standards and work within the law.
The UK scored its highest-ever placing in the Scania Young European Truck Driver of the Year final in Sodertalje, Sweden, last weekend.
Hargreaves: back on the acquisition trail
Acquisition hungry Hargreaves Services says it is aiming to become a top-five player in the bulk haulage and tanker sector after it snapped up Imperial Tankers for a potential £7m.
Business Post integrates its mail
UK Mail: Express Parcels and Mail is to become the brand name for Business Post's express parcels and mail service.
Durable Caddy to offer British Gas longer life
British Gas is extending the length of time it keeps its LCVs, and is citing this as one of the key reasons for ordering 1,000 VW Caddy vans.
MAN has launched the TGS and TGX, which together replace the TGA range.
Transaction gears up for new fuel protests
Members of the Transaction group who were at the centre of the 2000 fuel protests are planning another demonstration before the proposed fuel duty hike next month.
Don-Bur's Teardrop trailer a hit with M&S
Don-Bur says the launch of its new Teardrop trailer will have a massive impact on the haulage industry, and is confident that this revolutionary new shape will eventually become standard.
Haulage firms shy away from Telematics
Road transport operators are scared of admitting that the use of technology, such as vehicle tracking, can help save them significant amounts of money.
A North Wales haulier has outlined plans to build a new secure truck park.
Hauliers could lose work under European proposals
UK hauliers specialising in dangerous goods could lose work if the European Commission votes to allow member states to prescribe specific modes of transport.
Government blasted over drivers' hours decision
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has blasted the government's decision not to relax drivers' hours as hauliers attempt to clear the backlog of livestock on Scottish farms following the foot-and-mouth crisis.Concern over fixed penalty fine level
The freight industry has joined VOSA officials in expressing concern that the level of fines being proposed by the Graduated Fixed Penalty and Deposit Scheme will be too low to act as a deterrent.
KN Opens Midlands distribution centre
KN Drinks Logistics has opened a new regional distribution centre near Birmingham.
Oldhams buys Draycote out of administration
Oldhams Transport has purchased Draycote Continentale Transport from administration.
ASDA pay deal rejected by Ince depot workers
ASDA's relationship with trade union GMB has hit the rocks after the third collapse of pay negotiations at the supermarket giant's Ince, Lancashire, depot.
Salvesen performance hit by weather
Christian Salvesen claims the performance of its UK logistics business for the first half of the year will be hit by the poor summer weather.
Cemex receive ultimatum from its owner drivers
Cemex has been delivered an ultimatum by its owner drivers to either pay them correctly or face industrial action.
The latest pallet system, Alliance Freight Network (AFN), opened its doors last week.
Boughey's investment begins to pay off
Boughey Distribution is set to boost its profit and turnover with the gradual opening of three warehouses.
DfT reveals proposals to 'modernise' TC system
Controversial proposals for 'modernising' the traffic commisioner (TC) system have been published by the Department for Transport (DfT).
Almost 75,000 vans and trucks had to be recalled in the first half of 2007, according to VOSA's Vehicle Safety Recalls Bulletin.
Stephen Bowles steps down as RHA chairman
Stephen Bowles has resigned as chairman of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) after just six weeks in office.
John Bywater to move into warehousing
John Bywater Transport is looking to move into warehousing and storage.
Bibby Distribution is on the verge of finalising important new acquisitions, despite a disappointing set of results.
Hanbury Davies is aggressively targeting growth through acquisitions, managing director Ian Wilson confirms.
Port operators and trade associations say the government must invest urgently in road and rail links to the major UK container ports - or face crippling queues over the coming years.
MAN ERF announces the death of ERF
In a move that will surprise no-one, MAN has announced it is going to kill off its ERF brand.
Opinions are divided on benefits of LHVs
The express delivery arm of DHL could run longer heavier vehicles (LHVs) if the government gives them the green light, says its engineering director David Potter.
Islington goes battery-electric
A Modec battery-electric dropsider has been commissioned by Islington Council in North London, as part of a drive to make the borough's vehicle fleet more environmentally friendly.
A lack of interest from the building industry may force London's pioneering Construction Consolidation Centre (CCC) to close, according to one of the firms involved in the project.
Palletline has outlined its future plans, including a move to new premises.
Wincanton runs diesel/bio-fuel mix on 750 trucks
Logistics giant Wincanton has revealed it is trialling 750 vehicles running on a 50:50 standard diesel to bio-fuel mix.
ATS and BOC tackle wheel loss problem
ATS Euromaster and BOC have joined forces in an attempt to reduce the rosk of wheel loss across the company's 950-strong truck fleet.
Bartrum wins Scania prize draw at MT awards
Robert Bartrum, Director of Bartrums Road Services of Norfolk was the winner of the prize draw at the Motor Transport awards, sponsored by Scania.
Ramage buys UFD out of administration
Video of Owen Paterson MP, Shadow Minister for Transport, explaining to delegates at the RHA Conference why no government will give hauliers an easy ride:
Also at the RHA Conference, Hubert Linssen of the IRU (the International Road Transport Union) talks about the need for a new type of digital tachograph and the 'scandalous' rate of diesel fuel duty in the UK, calling for a harmonised rate throughout the EU:
Motor Transport goes green this week, with a themed issue on environmental concerns and what the industry can and should be doing. In the Road Transport Blog, Andrew Brown explains the results of MT's 'Green Issues' survey - it seems that operators are keen to be regarded as environmentally-friendly.
The Motor Transport Fleet Management Conference took place last week, with speakers from every sector of the industry. The Conservative transport spokesman was there too, outlining the Tories' plans for a road user charge:
Truck crime cost is 'massive', says Truckpol
Digital tachographs not easy to use, says Gregory
Home Delivery Network sheds 10% of its jobs
Freightliner says growth in railfreight could be stalled by 'gridlock' at major container ports
Budget 2007 - news and reactions
Budget 2007 analysis: Gordon Brown incentivises Euro-5 uptake
First driving impressions of the new Iveco Stralis
Ian Jones' speech at the Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles press conference, in full
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