The Freight Transport Association (FTA) says the Government’s plan to extend its Plug-In-Van grant scheme to trucks is a step in the right direction, as we look to encourage take-up of green technologies in the logistics sector.

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Electronically powered freight vehicles above 3.5 tonnes will now be supported by the scheme, which was launched back in 2012, with the Government pledging £4 million towards grants of up to £20,000 per vehicle.

FTA has continually called on the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) to provide much-needed financial support to help operators make the switch to alternative fuels and low carbon technology. The grant scheme has been offered to car and small van users since its launch but larger vans and trucks had previously been excluded.

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FTA’s Climate Change Policy Manager, Rachael Dillon had this to say: “We are delighted that Government has recognised that freight operators need support as much as other vehicle users to adopt greener fuels and technologies in order to reduce carbon and contribute to improved air quality.

“The cost of an electric vehicle can be prohibitive so any financial support that Government can give may allow operators to make the business case to invest.

She added: “There are still a huge number of barriers to adopting electric vehicles including higher costs, lack of charging infrastructure, short range, reliability and limited payload due to the weight of batteries. Whilst electric won’t suit every operation or truck, FTA hopes that the grant system can encourage uptake.”

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96% of transport operators, when asked by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) say that delivering in London is harder than it was five years ago – with congestion, restricted delivery times and the number of compliance schemes among the reasons given.

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A survey conducted by the FTA in partnership with Road Transport Media (RTM) asked a number operators about their experiences in the city and question them on issues including penalty charges, vulnerable road users and the London Lorry Control Scheme. The majority of those who took part said increased traffic had become the biggest problem.

RTM Group Managing Editor, Christopher Walton, had this to say: “Congestion is overwhelmingly the number one factor when it comes to the challenges of delivering in London, with vulnerable road users and too many compliance schemes both very close in second place.”

RTM’s Freight in the City Expo on 2 November, will look into how delivering in London can be cleaner, quieter and safer. Alternative fuels, consolidation, cycle safety, air quality, consolidation and quiet deliveries are all on the agenda. There will also be a variety of different people from the industry making speeches, including Natalie Chapman, FTA’s Head of Policy for London.

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Ms Chapman said: “Delivering in an ever-growing city is a huge challenge but HGVs remain the most effective way of getting goods in and out so it’s vital to ensure this is done safely, cost-effectively and with consideration for the environment.

“FTA believes there are many improvements that can be made without compromising the efficiency of transport operations, such as reforming night-time delivery restrictions, avoiding lorry bans and increasing enforcement of existing HGV legislation.”

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The post-Brexit fall in the value of the pound has meant road hauliers will have to demonstrate greater financial reserves to operate legally in the UK, according to the FTA.

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Financial standing requirements – for standard operator license holders, are stated in European law in Euros and are reassessed eery year according to the exchange rate on the first working day of October, but they don’t give into force until the 1st January of the new year.

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The FTA has predicted that the sums will go up to around £7,800 for the first vehicle, which would previously have cost £6,650. Each subsequent vehicle after that is likely to set you back around £4,300w which has risen from £3,700. Although these figures are simply predictions, the official figures will be announced by the Department for Transport fairly soon. In January 2016 the same rates fell from £7,000 to £6,650 and from £3,900 to £3,700

Head of Member Advice at the FTA, Es Shepherd, had this to say: “The potential hike may create difficulties for hauliers as they now need to demonstrate to the Traffic Commissioners – the industry regulator, that they have over 15% greater reserves available.

“The financial standing requirements exist to demonstrate to the Traffic Commissioner that a commercial vehicle operation is solvent, and ostensibly to show that they don’t need to start cutting corners in vehicle maintenance and safety in order to save costs.”

The financial standing rates for restricted operators are set by the Department for Transport in consultation with the Traffic Commissioners and do not usually change year-to-year. Theses currently stand at £3,100 for the first vehicle with every subsequent vehicle costing £1,700.

Financial standing is not a sum that has to be paid, rather an indication that a business has such reserves if they need them.

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Ms Shepherd went on to say: “The increase would come as a sudden shock to operators who will need to demonstrate these extra reserves by the New Year. While ‘cash at the bank’ is the most straightforward way of demonstrating compliance, other methods permitted by the Traffic Commissioners include joint and several guarantees, overdraft facilities, credit facilities and invoice finance agreements.”

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The Freight Transport Association (FTA) says a report released by the Department of Transport (DfT) shows that longer semi-trailers continue to make a significant contribution towards reducing HGV miles. Semi-trailers also have environment benefits and pose no greater safety risk than a normal HGV.

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The semi-trailers are up to 2.05m longer than the standard trailers that are commonly seen on the roads.

The FTA have shown their support of a ten-year trail that started back in 2012 to evaluate the impact of the operation of longer semi-trailers (LSTs) on Great Britain’s roads and the role that they can play in improving the efficiency of logistics.

However, it is essential that their use is monitored to ensure that they are used safely.

FTA’s Director of Policy, Karen Dee had this to say: “We are pleased that once again the report is demonstrating that LSTs have a really good safety record.  In addition, the improved efficiencies that they offer are reducing the overall number of lorry journeys and thus reducing fuel use and the associated emissions.  These types of developments will continue to play an essential part in efforts to tackle climate change and improve air quality.”

Dee continued: “Almost three quarters of goods movements are carried by road rather than by rail or water.  We need to maximise the use of rail and water freight as part of making the UK’s supply chain as efficient, clean and safe as possible, but they can never replace road – that is why we need to maximise the efficiency of road freight as well as the other modes.”

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If you were to look out of your window you would probably have to remind yourself that we actually approaching the middle of July.

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However, luckily, the rain managed to stay well clear of the Wimbledon men’s single final this weekend. And whilst Andy Murray was celebrating winning the title for the second time, logistics operators were celebrating too. Another successful year for the industry as the supplied the tournament with around 27,000 kilos of strawberries and 7,000 litres of cream, not to mention the less important things such as the balls, nets and bottles of water.

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In case you have been living in a cave all weekend, it was also the final of Euro 2016. Portugal ran out 1-0 winners in their match against the hosts France. However, Portugal’s win wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the transport and logistics industry. The industry delivered everything from goal posts to burgers.

Ballymena-based company – Blair International were responsible for transporting all the Northern Ireland team’s equipment to its training camp in France and then back again after they were eliminated by Wales.

FTA’s Had of National and Regional Policy, Christopher Snelling, had this to say about the impact the freight industry had on this summers sporting events: “This summer’s sports tournaments are a fantastic illustration of how logistics delivers absolutely everything, from the smallest tennis ball to the enormous replica trophy that appeared on the pitch at the end of the Euro 2016 final.

“The importance of logistics to the supply chain cannot be underestimated. Sun lotion, flip-flops, ice cream, beach towels – all the summer essentials reach us thanks to logistics. Without it, the shops would be empty and our cupboards would be bare.” 

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The possibility of moving freight on the Thames will be the subject of a free conference which will be held by Freight on Water next month. The conference will provide delegates with all the latest information regarding water freight services in the Thames region and set out FTA proposals to improve market conditions for such a crucial sector. The free conference will take place on the 6^th July on board PS Elizabethan, boarding at Butler’ Wharf Pier, Shad Thames, London.

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Freight by Water, which is run by the Freight Transport Association, is the UK’s official Short Sea Promotion Centre which has worked since it was created back in 2003, to enhance the use of short sea, costal shipping and inland waterways for the freight industry. Freight by Water has developed a diverse collection of stakeholders, including all the major UK ports.

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Freight by Water, which is chaired by Alex Beitch, FTA’s Head of Global Policy said: “The Thames is a key part of London’s transport infrastructure. While water freight traffic has increased in recent years, there is room for further growth. Our event will set out how planners, public authorities, shippers and operators can work together to develop water freight services, which in turn will help manage London’s traffic congestion problems.”

What will be discussed:

–       Water Freight in London by the Port of London Authority

–       TfL’s role in the water freight sector

–       Freight by Water Policy Report

–       Getting an operators perspective by Gerry Heward of Wood, Hall & Heward Ltd, Vice Chair of Freight by Water

–       The London Construction Link

–       Development of Freight by Water

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