Recovery Members Update 25th August 2011
Apologies for missing the last couple of monthly updates, but work commitments and holidays have meant that my time has been at a premium. Nevertheless there has been a lot happening in recent weeks, so here goes.
Freight Transport APPG
RHA Recovery are members of this influential group which is chaired by Rob Flello MP. The group has direct responsibilities for anything to do with roads so the meeting offered a great opportunity to highlight recent issues.
The APPG is a broad base group looking at many issues around freight transport but nevertheless it is good for RHA Recovery to have the opportunity of having an input especially when we can offer our experience in the vehicle recovery sector.
Recent issues where we have been able to offer our experience have come around the introduction of the Motor Insurers Database, the planning for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the wider launch of the Heavy Rescue Partnership of which I am a trustee. These three issues will be tackled later in the newsletter, but suffice to say that I think RHA Recovery being associated with the APPG is a major step forward for our industry and helps bring a focus to issues that we have from time to time.
We meet at Westminster around five to six times a year and for the first time we have recently formed a sub-committee to look specifically at the introduction of MID to ensure that recovery operators’ concerns are aired sufficiently.
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
The APPG recently invited representatives from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and London Organising Committee and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to demonstrate their plans for transport issues revolving round the Olympics.
Both organisations have had major input into the planning of all issues round the Olympics but have now handed over the control to Transport for London. Members will recall that RHA Recovery along with representatives from LARO, have held a series of meetings with the ODA and TfL to offer our member’s services in planning the strategic traffic plan for the capital during the games.
The ODA guests pointed out that London will have to provide a traffic lane dedicated to the Olympic traffic. This is called the Olympic Route and, as you can guess, it will put an even greater strain on the traffic issues in the capital.
Sadly our attempts to offer advice to the ODA and TfL have fallen on stony ground and despite an in-depth presentation from RHA Recovery and LARO, the Olympics looks as if it is going to go ahead without our involvement. We hope that at some stage our ideas for London during the games will be taken up, they include a plan for allowing recovery vehicle to use the Olympic Route to answer live calls for recovery; it is a case of watch this space at the moment.
LEZ Compliance
This is another issue that has received a joint approach from RHA Recovery and LARO. Members will be very aware that LEZ compliance will need vehicles that presently meet the LEZ requirements to be updated in time for January 2012. The costs are prohibitive and sadly the recent meeting with Samantha Kennedy at TfL were met with rebuffal.
We were asking for concessions particularly in relation to 12.5 ton recovery trucks. The TfL said that it could not make concessions when the consultation programme was held back in 2008 and the recovery industry did reply to the concessions.
Since then an operator called Phil Elliot from Croydon has been fairly vocal in asking for concessions for all recovery vehicles across the board. Phil asked to meet the ERRI committee and put a strong case for ERRI to lobby Boris Johnson, Mayor of London.
The ERRI committee agreed to put a small delegation together to meet Mr Johnson and a meeting has been requested.
Motor Insurers Database (MID)
This is an issue that is not going away. I mentioned early how a direct approach was made to the Undersecretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning. He is very interested and has asked for a submission from the APPG outlining the workings and cost savings to the government and motorists if MID is instigated.
A subcommittee has been set up to look deeper into the implications to the vehicle recovery industry. RRRA, AVRO and RHA Recovery have voiced their concerns that our industry is going through difficult times recently with low rates and low volumes. It is therefore important that any structure with MID sees agreements with the ABI to ensure that MID is introduced on terms that suit both the recovery operator and the ABI.
That might sound a contradiction in terms but the ABI have always said they are happy to pay a fair and reasonable rate for the job.
There is still a lot of work to be done on MID but it is thought by the insurance industry that it can streamline vehicle recovery and help cut down storage costs. Clearly storage represents a significant part of our business, so we have to ensure that the operator gets a parable rate for any MID work.
Heavy Rescue Partnership (HRP)
I am a trustee of HRP and I strongly believe it is the way forward for road safety in the UK. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue trialled HRP and over a period of 18 months identified twelve lives that were saved by having heavy specialised lifting equipment on the scene of a major traffic trauma.
To the uninitiated, it is common sense that our expertise is brought to the scene earlier rather than later, lives can be saved by having the right equipment on the scene at the right time. HRP has a broader remit than that and is working closely with the Red Cross to bring relief to areas that are affected by flooding.
Mike Penning is an ex-fireman so he was very quick to pick up on the benefits of the HRP but it needs activity at government level to ensure that other Fire Service areas take this initiative on board. More importantly we need the local police forces to work in tandem with the fire services for this to be seen as a success. Staffordshire now have the full support of all the agencies and it is working very well.
Professional Recovery Tow Show
Most of you will be aware that Professional Recovery now owns the Tow Show. We have rebranded it and are staging it at the Telford International Centre on Friday and Saturday, 30 September and 1 October.
We have the full support of all the trade associations and are expecting a bumper turnout.
This year the Tow Show will be back to its best, utilising the two biggest halls and an outside display area. In total we will be showcasing the industry over 11,000 square metres which is a massive improvement on recent years.
There will be something for everyone at this year’s show with lifting, diagnostics, tools on display along with all the major bodybuilders showcasing their very latest vehicles. We even have the army showing off the giant MAN recovery truck.
We have the all industry display team highlighting the skills and dangers that our industry has to face every day. This year we will be holding daily seminars, so there might well be a topic you want to take time out and attend. Everything is on site so you won’t miss anything.
As usual we have all the usual mix of entertainment and fun and we will be raising funds for the industry charity, RISC.
Please visit our website and register for the show, you will receive regular updates. Visit www.recoverytowshow.co.uk
Contact me
As you can see from this month’s newsletter, there has been a lot going on again. If you have any concerns and need advice or support, please do not hesitate in contacting me, I might not have all the answers but at RHA we have the infrastructure to give you an informed response.
We are still very much looking for new members. The benefits of RHA Recovery membership are stronger than most other trade associations because we are part of the massive Road Haulage Association infrastructure. We also have the RHA Rescue benefit where members will be invited to join that organisation which will open up other work opportunities. Over 100,000 HGV’s are part of RHA Rescue and our members have exclusive opportunities to tap into that work source.
If you are interested in joining RHA Recovery or would like information on what we can offer, please contact us at our Peterborough office. Janice Wadsworth will deal with your enquiry, she can be contacted on 01733 261131. Alternately you can call me direct, my mobile number is 07976 829927.