Motor Transport 13 May 2019

Page 1

Sharp ■ Informed ■ Challenging

13.5.19

QUALITY. COMFORT. PERFORMANCE. Truck manufacturers publish paper making the case for 32m-long HCVs MAKE A SPLASH IN YOUR INDUSTRY

BOOK NOW MTAWARDS.CO.UK

NEWS INSIDE Expansion plans

Kinaxia buys David Hathaway p4

End local CAZ rules

Wincanton wants consistency p6

Quadracycle partnership

DPD/EAV in eCargo bike deal p8

OPERATORS INSIDE Connect Group............................................... p4 David Hathaway Transport ............................. p4 DPD ............................................................p3,8 GD Harries....................................................p12 H&R Gray ...................................................... p4 Hermes UK...................................................p10 Jempson and Sons .......................................p16 Massey Wilcox Transport..............................p16 Millfield Haulage ........................................... p8 Palletline Logistics.......................................p10 Suttons Tankers ............................................ p6 TEF Transport ................................................ p8 Transervice Group ...................................p14,16 Wincanton .................................................... p6

Allow high-capacity vehicles, urges ACEA By Carol Millett

HGV manufacturers are calling for an EU-wide introduction of 32m-long high-capacity vehicles (HCVs) to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a paper published last week the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) argued that high-capacity vehicles, which are designed to carry twice as much freight as standard trucks, should be allowed on designated parts of the EU road network. High-capacity vehicles in the form of European Modular System (EMS) combinations are already allowed in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, most German federal states, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, with a maximum length of 32m. The introduction of 32m-long HCVs would be a controversial move in the UK. The longest

vehicle currently allowed on UK roads is the drawbar trailer or combination, which measures 18.75m in length. Calls by Dick Denby, chairman of Lincolnshire haulier Denby Transport, for a trial of his Eco-Link double-trailer combination, a 60-tonne GCW, 25.25m, 8-axle B-Double, have yet to be heeded by the DfT. Instead the government has a long-term trial of longer semitrailers, which measure up to 15.65m in length, still under way. The ACEA paper claims that research from countries that do allow HCVs on their roads shows their use in place of regular trucks can cut emissions by up to 27%. It could also halve the number of drivers needed. The paper, entitled ‘High capacity transport: smarter policies for smart transport solutions’, calls on EU policymakers to:

■ abandon what it describes as “the restrictive interpretations” of EU legislation regarding crossborder use of EMS combinations ■ harmonise EU requirements for HCVs ■ base future EU regulations on HCVs on performance-based standards ■ launch pilot programmes trialling the use of HCVs ■ introduce a high-capacity transport system across Europe. The paper also suggests additional driver training and strict safety criteria to encourage public acceptance of HCVs. ACEA secretary general Erik Jonnaert said: “In order to allow the benefits of high-capacity vehicles to be felt right across the entire European Union, we urge policymakers to enable the introduction of a highcapacity transport system across borders.”

CAN-DO ATTITUDE: Walkers Transport has acquired fellow Palletways member MTH Express Services for an undisclosed sum, giving the newly enlarged group a combined turnover of £48m. Richard Simpson, Walkers Transport CEO, said: “We are looking forward to working with [MTH director] Dez Shirley and the MTH management team to further grow the business and service offering. We expect this acquisition to benefit both MTH’s staff and existing and future customers, as a result of being part of a larger group with greater reach across the Midlands, north of England and nationally.” MTH operates from Fradley, near Lichfield in Staffordshire and covers Staffordshire, Shropshire and Derbyshire on behalf of Palletways. In the year to 31 December 2018, Walkers Transport said MTH had sales of around £9m. In 2017, Total Capital Partners backed the £20m management buyout of Walkers Transport, which was led by Simpson.

Business barometer p18 Focus: apprenticeships p19 Interview: Nadeem Raza p22

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Tip-ex preview

FIND OUT MORE. mantruckvanandbus.co.uk p28 CV Show review p34

09/05/2019 15:07:11


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Motor Transport 13 May 2019 by Motor Transport - Issuu