The show dates are 16th, 17th and 18th November at Earls Court in London. The Eco2 Transport show is a business event focusing on sustainable products within the business transport sector and operates as a market place for transport solutions to reduce emissions. Trakm8 are keen to demonstrate to fleet managers how their fleet management packages can reduce their carbon footprint in addition to cutting fleet costs.

This exhibition is particularly relevant to Trakm8 as they can directly monitor a fleet’s carbon emissions by using their intelligent technology. This technology utilises a link to the vehicle CANBus to show exact fuel usage (MPG) and ‘true’ carbon emissions, in addition to standard tracking and reporting facilities.

Trakm8’s vehicle connectivity technology also allows fleet managers to measure driver behaviour, another major element that can affect carbon emissions and cost. Gear usage, harsh acceleration, vehicle idling and braking can all be monitored and improved by driver education with the overall objective of reducing fuel consumption.

Effective route planning is a more obvious way of reducing CO2 emissions and costs. The Trakm8 fleet management system can view exactly where vehicles are using detailed aerial photography to enable businesses to plan effective routes.

Trakm8 will be demonstrating its full range of technology on stand and explaining to customers the various packages available and how they can be tailored to meet every fleet management, reporting and carbon measurement requirement.

Figures released by Continental suggest that the truck tyre replacement market in Europe is up almost 30 per cent year on year, while the UK market is showing an improvement of almost six per cent.

On a negative note, the company says that the cost of raw materials is increasing, and that price rises in the short term are inevitable.

Mick Bleach spent 13 days biking from Land’s End to John O’Groats but travelled home in just 23 hours on board four different trucks

The 52-year-old is managing director of Bleach of Lavant – a member of Palletforce, the UK’s leading palletised distribution network – and returned to his Sussex depot via the Palletforce hub in Burton-upon-Trent.

Michael Conroy, Chief Executive of Palletforce, said: “We were more than happy tomsponsor Mick’s challenge and we were even happier to help him arrive home in comfort after almost two weeks in the saddle.”

Mick raised more than £5,000 – including £100 donated from Palletforce – for the British Heart Foundation, St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Chichester and Leukaemia Research.

He picked the BHF as his father, also called Mick, was given a new lease of life after a triple bypass 10 years ago but his friend, Bob Morris, sadly died from a heart condition.

Mick chose the hospice as it helped a friend of his, Jennie Hill, the wife of one of his drivers Bob Hill, since doctors gave her just four months to live a year ago.

“She has had operation after operation and proved all the doctors wrong,” said Mick.

“Recently I went to her 60th birthday party, a party no one thought she would be having.

“During her illness the hospice has been very helpful to her and her family.”

Mick, who was joined by his office manager Neil Sedgwick for the first three days of the journey, will be handing over the cash to the charities over the next few weeks.

“Surpassing the sponsorship target is great and makes it all worthwhile,” said Mick.

“It was puncture-free and I cycled the whole way – I didn’t get off and push at all.

“It’s something anyone is able to do but it’s very easy not to do it or give in on route.

“But you’ve just got to put your mind to it, when the weather’s bad and you’re sore you just have to keep going.”

The company sstarted the first phase of the ad campaign in July and the second phase will begin in mid September on national and regional radio and print advertising.

The €100,000 advertising spend is designed to promote TPN (The Pallet Network) among trade, industry and consumers as the market leaders in pallet delivery in Ireland.” The advertising strapline for the campaign is “TPN That Pallet.”

Owen Cooke, Chairman of TPN said: “As a wholly owned Irish company with 23 regional member depots, our reach is truly nationwide and far exceeds the capability of our nearest competitors. The objective of this campaign is to further build our brand and reputation as the Irish company to work with when it comes to overnight nationwide deliveries. Last year was one of the toughest years for the transport industry but TPN, by virtue of its unique competitive advantages, had a successful year of trading in 2009 and 2010 is going even better for us. So we are very optimistic and want to convey our company’s success and to consolidate our position as the leading distributor of palletised goods in Ireland.”

TPN, as part of Independent Express Group, recently announced a combined turnover of €14.6 million for 2009, and reported a 25% increase in new business in the first quarter of 2010. The group currently employs 50 at its €20 million hub and logistics centres at Blanchardstown and has 23 regional network members in Ireland, employing over 400 people. TPN works with a variety of industry sectors such as manufacturing, retail, engineering, construction and the food and drinks industry.

TPN provides domestic overnight delivery to the 32 counties and 48 hour delivery to the UK, as well as international express deliveries. TPN is the only multi depot transport system in Ireland and the UK that can boast ISO9001 accreditation at all 23 depots

In the FTA’s written submission to WAC Inquiry, the leading trade body has highlighted the damage that unchecked and successive price increases have made on businesses and urged Government to freeze toll levels in 2011.

Ian Gallagher, FTA’s Policy Manager for Wales and the South West, said: “It is absolutely ludicrous that businesses still trying to recover from the worst recession in recent history are being held to ransom by gratuitous and cynical price hikes across what is an essential trade corridor connecting England with south Wales. Some of our members spend many thousands of pounds on these tolls every month – it is simply unsustainable.”

FTA has also recommended that the crossing operator considers the deployment of more flexible payment methods, in line with other tolling systems in operation across the UK.

Gallagher continued:“A reduced rate for off-peak travel for commercial vehicles, for example – would engender greater benefits in terms of congestion, emissions and cost, and should certainly be considered in 2017 when the bridge is expected to be back in public ownership. At the very least, users should be given the option of credit and debit card payments, a service which Severn River Crossing Plc are legally able to introduce today.”

Taken as a comparison alongside other UK tolled infrastructure it becomes increasingly clear that users of the Severn Bridge are paying considerably more than elsewhere in the country.

Gallagher concluded: “Companies doing business between England and south Wales are effectively being taxed for the privilege. This simply has to stop or else we risk the recovery of the Welsh economy as a whole.

“A UK-wide infrastructure tolling policy would remove the massive disparity that currently exists, and could safeguard users against future unmonitored concessionary price rises.”

In 2009, road users contributed nearly £50 billion to Treasury coffers”, said RHA Head of Communications, Kate Gibbs. “£32 billion of that came from fuel duty and VAT on fuel”.

“If tolling were to be introduced on strategic routes then the estimated reductions in congestion would of course be welcome. In addition, their implementation would go some way to levelling the playing field in as much as foreign operators would, at last, have to pay for the privilege of using the UK road network.

But the Treasury cannot expect to have it both ways and UK road hauliers, as an industry, cannot be expected to pay even more for keeping the UK economy moving.

“This is a case of swings and roundabouts. There must be a compromise in the form of reduced fuel duty for essential users of fuel”. If this is not achieved, tolling to lessen congestion will be nothing more than a short-term solution to a long term problem

“If hauliers are to be expected to pay the ever escalating levels of fuel duty as well as road tolls, congestion will indeed decrease as more and more transport operations are forced off the toll roads on to other untolled, and in some cases, minor roads. The knock-on effect of increased journey times and disrupted to delivery schedules will place the providers of transport and businesses which rely on an efficient transport system in an untenable situation”.

“The response has been great,” said Bob Sockl, CV Show organiser.

Just a month after releasing details of the 2011 Commercial Vehicle Show, enquiries are “coming thick and fast” from a wide range of exhibitors. “They all want a slice of the action as the road transport market returns to growth,” he continued.

“BP led the way, closely followed by Eberspacher, Isuzu (UK) and Premier Pits. Lots of firms have already applied, with many more in the pipeline.” Bob says most are increasingly optimistic about prospects for 2011, with more and more operators clearly keen to replace kit. “The vast majority of firms aim to market their way out of the recession, confident that sales will grow from a record low.”

The “bright new brochure” describes the sales and marketing opportunities that the CV Show offers. “If you haven’t got yours yet, but are thinking about making the most of the Show next April, let us know and we’ll send a brochure straight away.” He says the recession has sharpened competition and many firms feel that if they are not at the CV Show they may lose out to the competitors who do take space.

“The CV Show is the best road transport equipment marketplace in the UK and most firms don’t want to miss the opportunity.” The CV Show will run from 12 to 14 April at the NEC, Birmingham.

SNAP is a single national account package, with over 120 sites to choose from and growing.

“The idea is that we take away the need to have petty cash claims and operate many supplier accounts, we also eradicate fraud, give you control over your expenses, and provide proof of service; we provide a service, which is free of charge and significantly boosts efficiency for the operator,” Chris Billing, Director, of service providers, ETP Card Processing Ltd said.

“ Firstly we need all your registration numbers; you can add them yourself online or we can import form an Excel spreadsheet. Once we have the numbers, you will be in complete control of exactly, which vehicles are able to have services charged to the SNAP account as well as being able to prohibit individual services,” Billing added.

The idea behind website Delivery Quote Compare is an incredibly simple one. People who have something they want delivering somewhere are put in touch with people who deliver and in a few clicks, the deal is done and the goods are on their way at rates of up to 60% less than standard courier and general transport quotes.

What makes this transportation website so unique is that it’s an interactive portal for courier companies and customers that doesn’t just create automated shipping quotes. The customer enters the details of the goods to be couriered and selects the mode of transport required. The consignment details are then forwarded on to the most appropriate courier companies, who then tender for the work.

Choosing ‘auction format’ is the key to making the most out of Delivery Quote Compare. The transportation companies can see what competing companies are quoting for the job, which helps push the price down. This reverse auction format means customers looking for courier services or any other mode of delivery service can regularly save up to 60%, compared to contacting courier companies direct for the quote.

This all means the customer only has to enter their delivery requirements once, so no time consuming multiple ‘phone calls or emails to get quotes from courier companies. And what’s more, use of the site for delivery customers is completely free.

Each time one of the Delivery Quote Compare registered shipping companies receives details of a consignment, the details are looked at, considered and then a bespoke quote is produced and the customer receives an email alert. This means the customer only receives relevant quotes by trusted transport companies and couriers who can carry out the job.

Once all the tenders are in, the customer simply chooses the quote they want to go with and they enter into communication with the courier company to get the delivery project underway.

Daniel Parry, operations manager for DeliveryQuoteCompare.com commented: “As former directors of transport companies, we wanted to set up a service that connects customers and all types of delivery companies in the most hassle-free way possible, which means more work for couriers and better value prices for the client, so everyone is happy.”

Caroline Miller, who relocated with her family from France back to England, used DeliveryQuoteCompare.com to get quotes for her international house move and comments: “After ringing around a few International Removers and getting horrifically expensive quotes, I thought I’d give Delivery Quote Compare a try, after all it cost me nothing to post up my requirements. I was taken aback by the number of responses I had and decided to go with a quote from a specialist removal company that already had a van coming over to move a family out to France. My house removal job meant they could benefit from making a loaded return journey rather than heading back empty, so the quote I got was far, far less than the delivery companies I had contacted direct. An ingenious website service that I wouldn’t hesitate to use again”.

DeliveryQuoteCompare.com is ready and waiting to connect customers wanting delivery quotes to trusted, reliable and registered courier and general transport companies including air freight, shipping haulage companies etc.

The Hardstaff Group’s Oil-Ignition-Gas-Injection (OIGI®) system, further developed in collaboration with Loughborough University, has been shortlisted in the Innovation for Sustainability category at the 2010 Lord Stafford Awards after demonstrating its ability to cut engine CO2 emissions by up to 20%.

These reduced emission levels are achieved by substituting around 70% of the diesel fuel used by an HGV with natural gas which burns more cleanly within the engine. CO2 savings are effectively doubled when fossil based gas is replaced by sustainable bio-methane (renewable natural gas).

Issues surrounding power output, fuel economy and overall durability have all been solved during development as OIGI® does not require access to the manufacturer’s Engine Control Unit (ECU), thereby ensuring the integrity of built in onboard systems.

Extensive work was also undertaken by a dedicated team at Loughborough to optimise injector efficiency within the system. A bespoke gas flow test rig based on an HGV cylinder head was built; allowing design theories to be tested in-house with developments later trialled on a vehicle at Hardstaff’s rolling road facility.

The link with Hardstaff has been of great benefit to the university, helping it build a reputation for excellence in dual fuel research that has led to it being commissioned by the Technology Strategy Board to work on a two-litre engine design.

Trevor Fletcher, Managing Director of the company, expressed his delight at the nomination: “The short-listing represents an acknowledgement of the time and money invested over a number of years and provides a boost to the whole company and staff, who have gone beyond normal duty to maintain the development for nearly five years.”

He continued: “We have proved that the 20% reduction in emissions is possible by running the system on our own fleet of vehicles over the last 7 years and through continued collaboration with the university it has been developed to the point where it can be retro-fitted to existing vehicles made by other manufacturers. This has increased the potential market for OIGI® massively.”

This widened field of application has led to the company being appointed as a specialist dealer by Mercedes-Benz, who is supplying new vehicles to be converted to the system. Many existing vehicles are being adapted to OIGI® by leading UK and European fleet operators.

The technology has also been distributed as far afield as South America, giving the company genuine hopes of a worldwide impact.

“The system has been very successful up to this point and the support of Mercedes-Benz is a major fillip for us. With OIGI® proven across a large number of diesel HGV engines we are pushing on with plans to bring this technology to road cars,” said Trevor.

To this end the company has recently purchased a site in Wales complete with 21,000 tonne liquid natural gas storage with a view to it becoming a centre of excellence in the field of bio-methane research.

Established in 1861, the Hardstaff Group has an annual turnover of £20m and provides solutions across a broad spectrum of applications in the industrial transport field.

Operating from its state of the art Kingston-on-Soar Headquarters it employs around 230 people in the four business arms that make up the group.

In addition to the solid support from Mercedes-Benz, OIGI® technology is under development in industrial vehicles from such manufacturers as Volvo, Iveco and DAF, all of whom are interested in employing the system in order to cut their own carbon emissions.

Awards Patron Lord Stafford said: “The Awards are an opportunity to show how the region has moved ahead in terms of innovation and collaboration, linking businesses with our world-class universities to encourage knowledge transfer and deliver innovative products, processes and services.

“This partnership between the Hardstaff Group and Loughborough University is a perfect example and this project thoroughly deserves it’s nomination in this year’s awards.”

The winners of the awards, which cover ‘Innovation Achieved’, ‘Innovation in Development’ and ‘Innovation for Sustainability’, will be announced at a high-profile finale on September 9thth at Athena in Leicester.

Sponsors for the event include the East Midlands Development Agency, the East Midlands Universities Association, CFE, Connect Midlands, epm: technology ltd, Swindell and Pearson, Leicester and Leicestershire Leadership Group and the Enterprise Europe Network.

As we get older we get less tolerant of others, with people in their fifties a third more likely to want to drive solo than those in their twenties.

Researchers found the average car-owner gets annoyed at least three times by their passengers’ behaviour during the typical car journey – taking just six minutes for their blood to boil. Tempers have flared so much for one in five behind the wheel that they have asked a passenger to get out of the car.

Unable to keep their hands, feet and thoughts to themselves, the Backseat Driver was named the most annoying passenger to have in the car. They brake hard before every junction, slam the dashboard with their hands in panic, comment on every turn, and account for more than four in ten irritating passengers.

Researchers studied the opinions of 4,000 drivers and it emerged a further one in ten fall under the ‘Fiddler’ category – those bored individuals that twiddle with buttons, air con and switch between radio stations.

Other types of passengers include the ‘Sleeper’ – those who nod off within minutes of setting off, snore, and only wake up when they arrive at their destination.

And the ‘Road Rage’ – someone who embarrasses the driver with their fiery temper, instantly getting riled by other motorists on the road, uttering expletives, and at times waving rude hand gestures.

Tim Bailey, safety expert for Continental Tyres which carried out the study, said: “It is worrying that so many motorists are irritated to such extremes by their passengers. Driving is the time we need to be most alert, so a distraction such as an annoying passenger is likely to mean a driver losing concentration.

“We would suggest calmly letting the passenger know that what they are doing is distracting you, trying to calm down and most importantly, focusing on the road ahead.

”The survey of drivers aged between 17 and 65 were quizzed on what types of passengers they find most irritable on a car journey. And millions of Brits said those who push their feet down into the foot-well on the ‘invisible brake’ were the most annoying to have on board. Other types included the ‘Know it all’ – those who correct grammatical errors you make, the radio and sat nav.

A third of respondents admitted they avoid getting in a car with a particular person. Drunken mates, partners and mums were named the worst to share a journey with.

One in three have been embarrassed by a passenger, but half admit they are also capable of being an annoying passenger as well, and are guilty of talking too much or suffering from road rage.

TOP 10 MOST ANNOYING TYPES OF PASSENGERS

1.Backseat driver – unable to keep their hands, feet and thoughts to themselves, this sort of passenger can’t help but brake hard before every junction, slam the dashboard with their hands in panic, and comment on every turn.

2.The Fiddler – bored to tears by long journeys, this passenger spends hours twiddling knobs, changing stations, and playing with all available buttons on the car dashboard.

3.The Know It All – keeps correcting the radio/sat nav/you – they know better than anyone about any subject.

4.Sleeper – this type of passenger is bad company because they fall asleep within minutes of setting off, snore through the whole journey and only wake upon reaching the final destination.

5.The Drone – unable to keep quiet, this passenger incessantly chats away – normally first thing in the morning, when all you want is peace and quiet. Talking about their kids, stresses and other uninteresting daily musings top the agenda.

6.Road Rage – instantly gets riled by other motorists on the road, sometimes utters expletives, wave rude hand gestures.

7.Airhead – feeling ‘boxed’ in by the car, this passenger insists on spending the majority of the car journey with the windows down, the air conditioning on, and their head stuck out of the window to ‘get a bit of fresh air’.

8.The SatNag – their focus is on making sure you’re heading in the right direction, offers short-cuts and barks directions at you.

9.The Leaker – needs the toilet every 20 minutes and requires a service station break.

10.The Crooner – belts out every ballad they recognise on the radio with complete disregard to other passengers and their inability to sing in tune.

Voted as the UK’s favourite summer driving song by HPI’s customers, it apparently has us rolling down the windows and enjoying a good old fashioned summer holiday sing along.

“It seems like summer is a time for the good old classics, rather than whatever ray of sunshine the charts may be producing. Our top 10 is dominated by songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s,” says Nicola Johnson, Consumer Services Manager for HPI. “Seventies classic, Sweet Home Alabama was a clear favourite with 52% of the respondents putting the song in their top ten, followed closely by Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves with 48% of people placing this in amongst their top summer songs.

“However, 1966 song, Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys, that classic sound of summer, came in at a very respectable fifth place, proving that many drivers really do wish they all could be Californian. Surprisingly, the only song made in the last 10 years that makes it onto the chart is the less than summery ‘Mr Brightside’ by The Killers. Coming in at number four with 40% people selecting it as part of their summer playlist, it’s the perfect sing-along track for drivers on those unpredictable, British summer days.

“Whatever songs they play this summer, used car buyers need to make sure they protect themselves from unscrupulous sellers disguising a banger as a bargain. And the best way to do this is with an HPI Check.”

There were 2,760 trucks registered in the July, down 25.8% to 32,115 for the rolling year. For vans the total for the month was 17,309. This means a 0.1% rise to 204,514 for the rolling year.

Truck registrations for the month were up 9.1% against last July’s near record low. “The recovery in van registrations continues with truck figures also up,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. “Whilst the forecast for 2011 is more positive, the prospects for the rest of the year are gloomy and we expect a near record low for trucks.”

The proposals will also remove the cumbersome administrative process and will streamline the accreditation of VOSA officers.

The leading trade body has long been a strong supporter of affording enforcement officers greater powers to stop commercial vehicles.

James Firth, FTA’s Head of Road Freight and Enforcement Policy, said: “FTA members support the move to allow VOSA and DVA, with their specialist knowledge and equipment, to focus on issues of vehicle roadworthiness and road safety. It is simply a better use of time and resources, with the added benefit of freeing-up police time.”

However, FTA warns that better guidance will be needed to provide drivers with safeguards against bogus VOSA officials.

Firth continued: “Sadly, reports of criminal gangs impersonating VOSA officers to undertake vehicle hijacking, very often involving serious assaults on drivers, are increasingly common.

“Guidance, similar to that which exists for drivers carrying high-valued loads, needs to be issued to protect drivers who may be genuinely suspicious of the vehicle instructing them to pull over, but equally fearful of prosecution if the officer turns out to be authentic.”

The fully electric 3.5 and 5.2 tonne models stand out for being designed, engineered and manufactured by Iveco, rather than aftermarket conversions or a bespoke offering from a small volume manufacturer. This means they benefit from a full Iveco warranty plus the support of Iveco’s worldwide dealer network.

The EcoDaily Electric marks the future of urban transport and is ideally suited to short-distance journeys and door-to-door deliveries in an urban environment. It qualifies for a 100 per cent discount from London’s Congestion Charge.

Martin Flach, Product Director of Iveco UK, says: “Iveco has invested heavily in alternative fuel technology since the mid-1990s. As a direct result, we offer the largest selection of low-carbon commercial vehicles available in Europe, with the EcoDaily Electric joining natural gas variants of our EcoDaily, Eurocargo and Stralis, together with an innovative hybrid Eurocargo.”

The EcoDaily Electric benefits from pure electric traction using a three-phase motor controlled through a DC/AC inverter to provide effortless driving and range-extending regenerative braking (in a similar way to the Formula 1 KERS system).

Power comes from advanced NaNiCl2 battery technology, which can be fully recharged in eight hours from any normal 32-amp 415-V three-phase socket. The power output is 30kW continuous (60kW peak) for 3.5 tonne models and 40kW continuous (80kW peak) for 5.2 tonne models, which is sufficient to pull away on gradients of up to 16 per cent when fully laden.

All drive components and batteries are housed either in the engine compartment or within the chassis side rails, ensuring there is no compromise in load space. This is made possible as EcoDaily Electric is designed, manufactured and sold by Iveco – which also brings further advantages regarding both planned and unplanned maintenance, as there is one supplier, one invoice and one warranty to manage.

Flach adds: “In terms of driver appeal it looks no different to a regular EcoDaily, whilst its electric motor provides instant access to maximum torque. This makes driving through town and city centres a breeze, not to mention a comfortable, quiet and eco-friendly experience.”

Every EcoDaily Electric features a dashboard display which provides the driver with relevant information such as the battery’s charge level, system voltage, temperature and traction current. Power is provided by Zebra Z5 traction batteries which are fully sealed and do not produce gaseous emissions or require maintenance. The batteries are also fully recyclable.

Real-life trials have shown the vehicles to have an effective range of between 55 and 80 miles, depending on the number of batteries specified and the vehicle’s application. Furthermore, EcoDaily Electric can be driven just like a conventional vehicle fitted with an automatic transmission, using a gear lever to select forward, neutral or reverse. Each vehicle has a maximum road speed electronically limited to 45 mph, although this can be set to a lower level to further improve the range.

The tyre’s load-bearing capacity has been adapted to meet future requirements over the course of further technical development.

The tyre features impressive mileage and robustness while optimised rolling resistance ensures a considerable reduction in fuel consumption.

The higher load index of the new high-performance tyre forms the basis for future truck series that will shift an increasing amount of weight to the front axles. This is down to more complex exhaust gas treatment technology, safety equipment and more comfortable cabs being used.

The strict Euro 6 emissions standard that comes into force at the beginning of 2013 demands that vehicle manufacturers build new engines with more complex exhaust gas treatment technology. Catalytic converters, exhaust gas recirculation, particulate filters and considerably larger cooling systems greatly increase the load over the front axle.

In view of the new requirements for modern truck tyres, Continental is already presenting front axle versions of the high-tech tyre generation HSL 2 ECO-PLUS with greater load-carrying capacity. The HSL 2 ECO-PLUS was launched last year with great success.

ESDAL (Electronic Service Delivery for Abnormal Loads) has been developed to help hauliers save time and to minimise administration costs by easily notifying the relevant road and structure owners, as well as Police and other interested parties, when an abnormal load move is planned.

Since upgrading the service, the number of communications sent to road authorities, structure owners, and Police by hauliers using ESDAL has increased from 14,692 in April to 26,591 in June.

The web-based service was upgraded using feedback from users. Some of the most popular functions requested and now implemented include:

* A-to-B Mapping – ESDAL will automatically plan a route, and return route if required, for the abnormal load movement from the start and end point selected by the haulier. Drag-and-drop anchor points allow the route to be easily modified if required.

* Online collaboration – Road authorities, structure owners and police are able to provide online feedback to the haulier when notifications are made via ESDAL.

* Simplified vehicle entry – A single page is used to enter details of vehicles used in abnormal load movements.

* Notification status – A transmission status page for each notification sent by the haulier.

Paul Furlong, from the Highways Agency, said: “The new enhancements to ESDAL have been received very positively by the industry. This has been demonstrated by increased use since April. ESDAL reduces the administrative burden and modernises the procedures for managing abnormal loads. It significantly improves the planning, management and notification of abnormal load movements.”

Steve Biddell of the Road Haulage Association said: “The Road Haulage Association continues to support the need for a system such as ESDAL. Many hauliers are benefitting from developments already introduced and the completion of the latest phase should further meet the needs of all those involved in the very specialist task of transporting abnormal loads.”

Malcolm Bingham of the Freight Transport Association said: “The Freight Transport Association has been advising abnormal load operators to use ESDAL for some time to ensure that they have the tools to notify movements to the appropriate authorities.”

Hauliers wishing to find out more about ESDAL and register their details online should visit the website at: www.highways.gov.uk/esdal. Alternatively, application forms can be requested by emailing a company name and address to: register@esdal.com or by contacting the ESDAL Helpdesk on 01642 636789.

However, the four bodies are keen to see a review of the way in which the testing is conducted and have sent a joint letter to the Department for Transport strongly urging the abandonment of what the four associations consider to be the flawed policy of the previous government and transfer HGV testing to the private sector, with standards monitored and enforced by an independent body.

“We have arrived at a common view that the policy developed by the previous government, of having VOSA staff testing trucks and of tests being conducted as much as possible at third party workshops, will add unnecessary cost and complexity and will obstruct cost-effective testing”, said RHA Chief Executive Geoff Dunning

“We see three alternatives”, he continued. “The first, to return to the model of most tests being carried out at VOSA test sites, seems the least practical and credible.

“The second option would be to privatise the testing function but to continue with a single organisation, or small number of organisations, providing testers and possibly taking over some of the testing estate but conducting a large proportion of tests at third party workshops.

“The third option would be to follow a model similar to that for car and van testing and to have tests carried out by approved individuals. This system is now well-proven for lighter vehicles in terms of both standards and road safety outcomes.”

The four industry bodies firmly believe that the industry must be given, and accept, overall responsibility for high standards of maintenance. Moving towards a system similar to that of cars and vans would, we believe, lead to a further strengthening rather than a diminution of safety standards.

Drivers’ hours and working time rules are enforced to protect both the driver and the public, so it is imperative that drivers understand and comply with these regulations – failure to do so can result in fines or even imprisonment.

To help ensure that drivers understand the rules, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has produced another in its popular series of training DVDs, ‘Drivers hours and working time rules’.

The easy to follow, 17 minute DVD will ensure that drivers understand:

· rules on breaks

· driving rules

· night work

· rest requirements

· weekly work limits

· key responsibilities for analogue and digital tachographs

· the importance of complying with legislation

Disc two contains one set of manager’s notes, plus test papers and answer papers for use in conjunction with disc one, a penalties for non-compliance memo and an employee declaration.

The Ford Transit, the pioneer of the ubiquitous white van, has led the UK market ever since the year that Jim Clark won the Indianapolis 500 and F1 World Championship, Tom and Jerry and Thunderbirds made their TV debuts, the Sound of Music movie was released and Mary Quant invented the mini skirt.

At launch, the cheapest Transit, a short wheelbase, petrol-engined van with 610kg payload, cost £542. The most expensive Transit was a 15-seat Custom bus which cost £997.From 78 derivatives in 1965, there are now more than 600 Transit entities, providing a range of dedicated commercial vehicles to ensure there is a model for every job required.

Today’s Transit continues to represent great value. A special edition “Sapphire” went into production at the Southampton Plant this year to mark 45 years of success. The Sapphire develops more power and torque, has longer service intervals yet costs just £295 more than the last celebration model in 2005, the Transit “Hallmark”.

The latest Transit Sapphire’s specification and features list exceeds the 2005 Transit celebration vehicle as follows:

DFDS Seaways is now also the new name for all ferry services previously known as Norfolkline.

DFDS Seaways is now one of Europe’s largest ferry companies with a modern fleet of over 60 ships and an extensive route network which operates across the Irish Sea, English Channel, North Sea and Baltic Sea, as well as providing terminal services at several major ports.

The first visible display of the new DFDS Seaways can now be seen on the Irish Sea, the Maersk Exporter which operates on the Belfast – Heysham service, has been renamed ‘Scotia Seaways’ and completely rebranded.

The ship, in its striking new colours of blue and white with the DFDS Seaways logo on the ship’s funnel, is the first of the Irish Sea vessel fleet to be rebranded. The remaining six ships in the Irish Sea fleet, which operate on routes between Belfast, Dublin, Heysham and Liverpool (Birkenhead) will be renamed and rebranded in a phased programme.

Jens Skibsted Nielsen, Vice President of DFDS Seaways, commented, “We are delighted with the new look Scotia Seaways. The extensive European route network which DFDS Seaways now offers combined with our commitment to service and value, will provide both our passenger and freight customers with enhanced service levels and greater choice. We look forward to this new and exciting era for our Irish Sea services”.

The stand design is inspired by the renowned scientist, inventor, artist and sculptor, Leonardo de Vinci – with the centre of the stand featuring a depiction of Vitruvian Man.

Staff across the 2,700 m2 stand will also be using the latest iPad technology to help convey information about Iveco’s extensive vehicle range to visitors from around the world.

The theme of the company’s stand will be “Driving innovation to reality” – a statement that signifies the fact that in recent years some of the most important technological innovations made by Iveco – such as electric vehicle and hybrid drive technology – have become commercially available. As a further testament to this, many of these vehicles now bear the livery of major Iveco customers who use them across Europe in a diverse array of applications.

The Iveco stand will be split into three sections: urban, medium & long distance and off-road. In the urban section four EcoDaily light commercials in different variants will be exhibited, including a zero-emission EcoDaily Electric van. Additionally, Irisbus, Iveco’s bus and coach division will be displaying a 12 metre series hybrid Citelis bus which uses a diesel engine to drive an electric generator working with batteries to drive the vehicle. This Citelis is capable of reducing emissions by up to 30 per cent and contributing significantly to improving air quality in cities.

The medium and long distance section will be devoted to the Stralis, Iveco’s flagship, which will be shown in multiple configurations to highlight its versatility. Taking pride of place on display will be a new enhanced productivity version of the Stralis, which will be enjoying its world premiere. It has been designed to make a major contribution to the sustainability of road transport and is technologically advanced – helping to optimise performance, reduce fuel consumption and cut CO2 emissions to a minimum.

Amongst the vehicles on show in the off-road area will be an example of the Trakker, which is popular in quarries and construction sites all over the world. It will be joined by the Light Multirole Vehicle (LMV), which Iveco has designed for tactical military applications and peacekeeping missions.

In keeping with the company’s theme “Driving Innovation to Reality”, and developed in collaboration with the Fiat Research Centre, Iveco will display the Iveco Glider, a technology platform which explores the boundaries of excellence in productivity and environmental impact.

Iveco will also be demonstrating its innovative Blue & Me Fleet system, which is built on a Fiat-Microsoft platform and developed in partnership with Qualcomm, global leader in web-based solutions for managing vehicle fleets.

The move follows an overwhelming surge in noise complaints from tonal alarms and the huge success of their unique and patented white sound reversing alarms (bbs-tek).

Tom Brett, marketing director of Brigade explains: “In 1976 when we introduced the first reversing alarm to Europe, there was no alternative. The shrill beeping warned of imminent danger and thus saved lives but with so many vehicles now fitted with reversing alarms, it has gained the reputation of causing a noise nuisance and even confusion. With white sound – you only hear it when it matters!”

White sound reversing alarms are safer because you can pin point the exact location from where a vehicle is reversing and can actually hear the direction it is moving in. This prevents worker disorientation and reduces the likelihood of workers disconnecting the vital reversing aid due to noise nuisance.

Stewart Dodd, workshop team leader at Dundee City council operates a fleet of vehicles servicing various sectors of the community. He said: “We fit white sound reversing alarms to everything, from vans to 32 tonne hook loaders. The alarms are good for vehicles going out early in the morning, especially refuse vehicles. The last thing people want to hear is tonal beeping alarms. The localised sound at the back of the vehicle alerts people and pedestrians without waking up residents.”

White sound reversing alarms are now used world wide from Hanson Aggregates quarry machines, Sainsbury’s distribution lorries to BAA vehicle buggies. In New York City it is the only reversing alarm permitted on construction vehicles

Brigade’s vision is to ensure that every commercial vehicle is fitted with a white sound alarm to reduce reversing fatalities.

Boyle Transport Ltd, from Newry, Co. Down and 13 of its drivers appeared before the court. The drivers admitted to falsifying their tachograph records, but their bosses, Patrick Boyle, 64, Mark Boyle, 35 and Neil Boyle, 29, all pleaded not guilty to conspiring to make the false tacho readings, saying they had no idea what their drivers were doing.

They also denied aiding and abetting the 15 drivers to falsify their records.

And Patrick Boyle, the managing director, also pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice by attempting to dispose of tachograph vehicle units.

All the charges related to alleged tachograph offences between November 2007 and November 2008, but no details of the alleged offences were given in court.

The drivers were all released on bail and will be sentenced at the end of the trial of their employers.

A joint venture contract was signed in the presence of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Premier of the People’s Republic of China Wen Jiabao. The approval for the deal was granted by the relevant Chinese government authority.

“The joint venture with Foton Motor represents another key milestone in implementing our China strategy. It further strengthens our position to address all segments of the market. And it shows that we deliver what we promise taking full advantage of the enormous potential in China and other growth countries.” Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG comments about the signing ceremony.

“The NDRC approval of the joint venture with Foton Motor in China is a key milestone in Daimler Truck’s overall strategy,” said Andreas Renschler, member of Daimler’s Board of Management and Head of Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses. “The joint venture offers us an excellent springboard from which we can achieve growth, profitability and expansion in China, and with Foton as a global partner, in the international markets as well.”