Elddis Actros is a charity champion 19 July 2007

North-east haulier Elddis Transport has launched an ambitious plan to raise £50,000 for a local hospice, with the help of its 250th Mercedes Actros. The Consett-based company has pledged to donate 15p for every mile the vehicle covers over the next three years, to the Willow Burn Hospice, at nearby Lanchester. Elddis is also inviting people to track its progress – and add their own donations – through a special web site www.trucking4willowburn.co.uk The landmark truck, a Euro 4 Actros 2546 tractor unit with BlueTec SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology, was supplied by Newcastle dealer Bell Truck and Van. Wearing a special Willow Burn Hospice livery and W111 OWH registration plate, it has joined Elddis’s Mercedes-dominated fleet of more than 160 vehicles on general haulage duties, but will also help to raise the profile of the fund-raising effort by visiting shows and local events. Willow Burn Hospice opened in 1989 and provides care and treatment for those with life-limiting illnesses. It has four in-patient beds as well as day services, ‘Hospice at Home’ and out-patient clinics. It depends entirely on charity donations. Elddis Managing Director Nigel Cook says: “Willow Burn Hospice does a fantastic job for the local community and we’ve been pleased to support its work for many years. But now we are trying to take that to a higher level. “We calculate that 15p per mile over three years will equate to a donation of £50,000 from Elddis Transport, but we would like the final total to be much higher. Not only are we investing a significant amount of our own money but we are also hoping to raise awareness of the hospice and encourage others to support this very worthy cause.” Mercedes-Benz and Bell Truck and Van started the ball rolling by handing over a cheque for £2,000 when the truck was delivered. As well as reading more about the hospice, people logging on to the web site will be able to track the progress of driver Colin Kendrick and his Actros as they travel up and down the country, and check out the list of events at which it will appear. And, of course, they will also be able to make their own donations to the fund. “We hope that this effort will catch people’s imagination and gather momentum as it progresses,” adds Mr Cook. “The staff and volunteers at Willow Burn provide a much-needed service and they deserve our support.”

FTA Welcomes changes to port of Felixstowe vehicle booking system 17 July 2007

The Freight Transport Association has welcomed the announcement by the Port of Felixstowe that it is dropping the proposed charge for booking a peak period slot for vehicles under its Vehicle Booking System (VBS). Under VBSs, hauliers have to book an hour slot during which they are allowed to enter the port. This is in order to manage congestion and to reduce turn around times. Previously Felixstowe had proposed charging hauliers £2 to book a slot during peak periods (off peak to be free). It has now decided not to charge for any time slots. It has also clarified the extent of flexibility in the system for changing slots. Commenting on this change, FTA's Head of Global Supply Chain Policy Christopher Snelling said, 'This is a positive move on the part of the Port of Felixstowe and we welcome it. The changes should reduce the cost of the scheme to the users of the port without impairing its effectiveness in reducing congestion. 'FTA still has concerns overall with VBSs - whilst they can reduce waiting times at ports they are still a significant cash cost to users as there is a £21 no-show fee every time a haulier misses a slot, with no corresponding recompense from the port if it fails to deliver on its promises on turnaround times. In addition they add a significant burden to the costs to business due to the expense of administering the scheme. 'Reducing the cost to the user at Felixstowe is particularly important as we are still having to deal with the infrastructure surcharge imposed earlier this year, as well as the ongoing security surcharge.' FTA hopes other ports using or considering VBS systems look at Felixstowe's changes and consider if they can match them. Snelling concluded, 'Southampton is still charging £1 per peak booking - hopefully it will be able to follow Felixstowe's lead and remove this charge.'

North Somerset: Proposed weight restrictions leave road users in danger 17 July 2007

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is appalled at the decision by North Somerset County Council (NSCC) to proceed with planned weight restrictions on the A368 and B3134 between Churchill and West Harptree despite objections from throughout the region. A decision taken by North Somerset County Council members will eventually see an experimental weight restriction placed on these two roads. This is contrary to advice on enforcement and on safety grounds received by the Council in objections from Somerset County Council (SCC), Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES), Avon and Somerset Constabulary, FTA and the Road Haulage Association. The only notification that drivers would receive about the restriction would be when they actually reach the North Somerset border. This would leave the driver with two choices - either ignore the restriction and break the law by driving through it, or attempt to turn the vehicle round and return the way he came. Neither location offers a safe turning point, and HGV drivers attempting to carry out this manoeuvre could be putting not only their own lives at risk but the lives of other road users. Ian Gallagher, FTA Policy Manager for the South West said, 'I find it amazing that against all advice NSCC will proceed with this proposal. The consistent message which has been made at every opportunity by industry is that to continue to proceed with these proposals in light of the overwhelming objections is not only folly, but also dangerous'. FTA urges North Somerset CC members to reconsider. To continue without the support of other counties, and ignoring objections from so many important stakeholders, makes a mockery of the pre-consultation process. Gallagher says, 'Let's put people's lives before politics. FTA believes that NSCC really needs to take a breath before going ahead with this plan or it is the road users that will end up the ultimate losers.'