Pandemic fallout

Lorry park for 40 vehicles gives Midlands haulier room for expansion

PMT yard approval is green light for growth

A haulage firm in the Midlands has been given the green light to build on disused land in Walsall and park up to 40 HGVs.

PMT Haulage had to wait almost five months for a decision by the council on its application to convert nearly 1.4 acres of wasteland in Darlaston into a secure haulage yard. The plans include employing an extra eight staff – two security guards and six HGV drivers.

The site, which is close to the M6 and A4038, will be used 24 hours a day, with between 10 and 40 lorries or trailers parked on it at its maximum.

The application stated: “All lorries and trailers will be reversed

Photo: Shutterstock

into the bay so as to ensure easy and visible exit from the parking bay and from the site.”

A decision had been delayed after Walsall Council demanded a noise survey was carried out, despite its agents saying the proposal would have no impact on neighbouring tenants and businesses.

But it has now signed off the application, opening the door for PMT’s business expansion.

However, the council has attached conditions to the application, including that all HGVs must not use standard audible reversing alarms; that vehicle horns are not used between 11pm and 7am; and that no refrigerated trailers are used on-site at any time.

PMT Haulage currently holds a standard national O-licence in the West Midlands traffic area authorising six lorries and six trailers out of a base in Tipton in Sandwell.

Resident power triumphs in warehouse hours battle

A planning appeal by developers wanting to overhaul vehicle movements at a controversial warehouse in Milton Keynes so that lorries could operate 24/7 has been dismissed.

Jersey-based GUPI 6 wanted to vary restrictions at the site in Blakelands, so that HGVs could enter or exit the site outside of the current restricted hours of 7am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm at weekends.

But the Planning Inspectorate ruled out the changes, saying in its decision: “The proposed amendment to the operating hours would result in an adverse effect upon the living conditions of the occupiers of neighbouring properties.”

The 59ft-high warehouse, which covers 220,900sq ft, has been the source of much local anger, with local residents branding it a “huge, enormous monstrosity” when planning permission was granted in 2018.

The site has stood empty since it was completed.

Campaign group the Blakelands Residents Association said the decision was “a huge result”.

Kerr completes rise to be named DPD UK boss

DPD UK has confirmed the appointment of Elaine Kerr (pictured) as chief executive from 1 June 2021.

She will report to chief operating officer DPDgroup Europe, Yves Delmas, and replaces Dwain McDonald, who left the role on 29 March 2021 after an “internal investigation”.

Kerr has worked for DPD for over 28 years, joining as a sales executive based in the North West before taking on the roles of customer relationship manager and head of CRM. She was promoted to director of CRM in 2008.

In 2020, she was appointed executive director, sales, CRM and customer services.

Delmas commented: “Elaine has had a tremendous career with DPD and has been instrumental in growing our customer portfolio to include some of the most prestigious brands and securing our continued growth, both domestically and internationally.

“Elaine will now continue this success story in the role of CEO, building on the strengths of the senior management team to lead the business to a new chapter, and I wish her every success in her new role.”

Hauliers jump on board to try Denby Eco Link road train

Twenty-four hauliers are being given the chance to test drive the Denby Eco Link B-Double truck tomorrow (25 May) at the RHA’s latest Ride and Drive day.

The invitation-only event, which will be held at Newark Showground, aims to not only demonstrate the 25.25m 60-tonne road train to interested hauliers, but also show government ministers that there is sufficient industry interest to warrant a trial on Britain’s roads.

Denby Transport chairman Dick Denby has been lobbying the government for over 20 years. Hopes were raised in February this year that the DfT would issue a Section 44 permit to enable the vehicle to take to the road as a demonstrator ahead of a wider trial.

This followed a survey, requested by DfT as evidence of industry appetite, which revealed that 80% of participating hauliers wanted to adopt the vehicle.

Denby said last week that DfT officials had informed him his Section 44 licence application is currently with ministers.

RHA key account manager Martin Dean, who is organising the test drive, said it had so far garnered strong support from the haulage industry, with 30 delegates already signed up from 24 major operators.

He added: “We hope this demonstration helps pave the way to the granting of a Section 44 licence and a meaningful trial of the vehicle on Britain’s roads. This technology can play an important part in helping the government reach its net zero targets.”