Improving Road Transport

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Improving Road Transport

The RHA is calling on the government to do more to ensure that roads are fit for purpose to deliver economic growth.

It says Congestion costs the UK economy £30bn a year and is ready to work with local authorities and the Government.

It has published a blueprint for improvement with four main themes:

Mission 1: Kickstart economic growth.

Mission 2: Make Britain a clean energy superpower

Mission 3: Take back our streets

Mission 4: Break down barriers to opportunity

The RHA has also welcomed new rules to tackle lte payment.

“According to figures from the Department for Business & Trade (DBT) and research from the Federation of Small Businesses, delayed payment of invoices currently cost smaller firms £22,000 a year on average. 

“New rules are being introduced today by Government that will require companies to include payment reporting in their annual reports. This is intended to increase the transparency of the payment process, in particular payments to smaller firms.

The government is also consulting on new laws that will hold firms to account for late payments and ensure cash flows into businesses.
The consultation will consider policies aimed at addressing poor payment practices.”

The state of our roads and an up coming deadline

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The state of our roads and an up coming deadline

The RHA (Road Haulage Association) says:

“To keep the economy moving and competitive, our industry needs robust infrastructure which is fit for purpose. We need a network of roads in place which are safe and reliable – with capacity to accommodate future growth in demand.

Congestion costs the UK economy approximately £30.8 billion which works out at an average cost per driver of £968 a year and for our sector, this can have real consequences where congestion is estimated to account for 16% of all outlays in road freight. “

It has issued a Blueprint document, making  it clear that it’s crucial that the Government invests in our road network soon and speeds up delivery of road projects at all levels; from pothole repairs to bypasses to major infrastructure.

“A more reliable road network in place will improve journeys, reduce costs for operators, tackle congestion and unlock economic growth through better connectivity between UK towns and cities.”

The RHA is also reminding drivers that those who gained their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) before 2019, the deadline to renew in September is fast approaching.

Drivers must complete 35 hours of CPC every five years and the deadline to complete the CPC training for many is Monday 9 September.

Missing the deadline will mean they cannot drive professionally and face fines of up to £1000 if they do so.

New safety standard for hauliers driving in London launches in October

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New safety standard for hauliers driving in London launches in October

The new Direct Vision Standard safety criteria are designed to meet Transport for London’s (TfL) Progressive Safe System (PSS).

The RHA has an explanatory document which sets out what a Blind Spot Information System and Moving Off Information System should do.

It can be found here https://bit.ly/DVSExp

Hauliers should have the PSS kit installed in their vehicles by October 28 after the RHA successfully negotiated for a three-month extension with TfL.

Full details of the scheme and its requirements are also on the TfL website here https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/deliveries-in-london/delivering-safely/direct-vision-in-heavy-goods-vehicles#on-this-page-5

The importance of Road Haulage to the UK economy

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The importance of Road Haulage to the UK economy

As the campaigning for the General Election continues James Barwise, RHA policy lead, appearing on BBC Politics South East, said new road projects are essential to make journeys more efficient.

Declan Pang, RHA Director of Policy and Public Affairs has also highlighted the needs of the Road Haulage industry:

He said: “At a time of rising cost pressures and regulations for businesses, there remains many unanswered questions on how the various parties will approach a number of key challenges. 

“Whoever forms the next Government will need to work collaboratively with industry to help minimise the financial burden on operators to support economic growth.

“The total cost of operating an HGV has increased by 10% over the past year and because of these rising costs, some hauliers have gone out of business and some other operators are running at a loss with their margins wiped out by cost increases. 

“With the average profit margin of a haulier at just 2% (which equates to around £70 per week or £3500 per year profit per lorry), the next Government needs to minimise taxation for operators, particularly given that the cost of distribution impacts the prices on our shelves and the cost of living.

“As businesses try to navigate rising costs and different regulations, we want the next Government to consider a review of road freight regulations which can be simplified and reduced. “

The RHA is also calling for the suspension of the HGV levy and a ringfencing of future funds for green fuelling infrastructure.

Celebrate Road Haulage

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Celebrate Road Haulage

Every year our industry body the Road Haulage Association runs a week of activities to celebrate the work we do.

This year National Lorry Week is from October 25 to 31 and the RHA has as usual been putting on lots of events, competitions and information sessions to highlight the range of jobs that make up the logistics industry.

It has never been more necessary given the lorry driver shortage to encourage young people into thinking of a career in the industry.

Meanwhile, we, like all those already in the business, continue to work hard to deliver all our services to our clients and fortunately are experiencing no hold-ups at ports, despite all the publicity in the media. 

It is important, however, that our customers makes sure all their paperwork is in order since they are responsible for the contents of the containers we deliver.

Road haulage coronavirus updates

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Road haulage coronavirus updates

More information on all the following is available on the RHA website here.

Driver medicals.

On 17 April 2020 the Department for Transport announced temporary changes for applying for renewing vocational licenses. The changes apply to HGV drivers over 45 whose licences are due to expire, or have expired, since 1 January 2020.

Under this scheme, HGV drivers aged over 45 will be able to apply for a temporary 1-year licence, providing they do not have any medical conditions that affect their driving.

For HGV drivers over 45 years old & whose licence is about to expire, DVLA should have sent the D47 application form to renew the licence. 

Temporary relaxation of driver hours rules

The information about this is on the Government website here.

The drivers’ hours relaxations apply from 00:01 on Monday 23 March 2020 and will run until 23:59 on Sunday 31 May 2020.

Anyone driving under the EU drivers’ hours rules or the GB drivers’ hours rules and undertaking carriage of goods by road can use the relaxations where necessary. The relaxations are not limited to specific sectors or journeys.

Operator licence renewals

RHA is reminding hauliers that they still need to renew their licences despite the lockdown if they are still working, but it can be done online. See this link: https://www.rha.uk.net/news/coronavirus-updates/operator-licence-renewal

The RHA has also written to the Government to stress that many hauliers have been affected by the lockdown and urging it to provide some help.

It calculates that nearly50% of lorries are now parked up, especially those hauliers whose businesses depend on work in the construction, removals, waste recycling, car transporting, retail, manufacturing, events and fuel sectors.