In a significant push against smart motorways, ministers are facing calls to bring back the hard shoulder. The request, spearheaded by the RAC, comes exactly one year after Chancellor Rishi Sunak halted new smart motorway developments due to financial constraints and declining public trust in these roads.
Rosie’s Bakes, a commercial bakery based in Northern Ireland, has partnered with Inseego and Pocket Box to adopt a telematics-enabled fleet management solution. The company has rolled out the integrated system across a 29-strong commercial fleet, including temperature-controlled vehicles, which handles the delivery of traditional baked goods, ready meals and snacks to over 300 convenience stores.
Phelan haulage has expanded the flexibility of its operations after taking delivery of a DAF XG 530 tractor unit mounted with a HIAB X-HIPRO 858 EP-6 crane from MV Commercial, that its director describes as “an absolute monster”.
The Cold Chain Federation (CCF) has issued a caution that European Union food suppliers to the UK may cease exports next month without a revision of the upcoming checking and inspection mandates for incoming goods, as conveyed in a communication to Defra Secretary Steve Barclay. The Federation has voiced concerns that the impending border control model could disrupt the UK’s food supply chain and escalate food prices.
Middlegate Europe, the international transport and logistics specialist, is targeting insurance, safety and efficiency improvements with a video telematics solution from SureCam. The company has installed forward-facing dashcams on its UK fleet of over 40 HGVs to capture vital video evidence of driving incidents and gain access to advanced GPS tracking. This will help Middlegate to safeguard drivers, vehicles and other road users, along with the reputation of the business.
DS Smith Logistics recently welcomed 61 new Volvo FM 460 Globetrotter 6×2 tractor units, marking a significant update to their fleet as part of an extensive renewal strategy.
Two additional prominent road freight companies, Youngs Transportation & Logistics and North West Cargo, have gone into administration, resulting in a considerable amount of job losses.
One of the North East’s most famous icons will shine again as the government delivers a £35 million boost to restore the bridge and secure its future.
The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) was introduced in 2007, from the European Union Directive 2003/59/EC. This was transposed into domestic legislation by The Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence) Regulations 2007 (as amended), with DCPC coming in force from 2008 for passenger transport and 2009 for goods transport
DAF Trucks has launched the DAF EV Relay, featuring two electric DAF LF 4×2 rigids touring the company’s 34 truck sales centres across the UK and Ireland. This initiative aims to educate and familiarise staff with electric vehicles (EVs). The journey, starting from two different locations in England, involves each dealer driving an LF Electric to their location and conducting hands-on training for their team. These trucks, adorned with special graphics, emphasise their range, environmental benefits, and cost savings, showcasing insights from the 18-month Battery Electric Truck Trial (BETT).
