Roadway Update 17 April 2019

Clean Air Zone impact

London's Ultra Low Emission Zone means pre-Euro VI trucks face a £100-a-day charge for entering central London. But it’s not just London.

Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, Bath, and many other cities have plans to charge pre-Euro VI lorries to enter.

The RHA is calling on its members to help produce evidence of the effects of these catastrophic charges on logistics firms who supply business in all these towns and cities.

If charges threaten your business – whether you serve London or any other city, get in touch.

Extinction Rebellion: 2 weeks of action

The Metropolitan Police have issued a warning regarding two weeks of protests organised by Extinction Rebellion in London and other cities.

The group has said that they aim to "bring London to a standstill for up to two weeks".

Police advised people travelling into London to allow extra journey time. Protests are also reported in Glasgow, Manchester and other cities.

The RHA opposes this type of disruptive action. The impact on people and business who rely on deliveries from lorries is unpredictable and can be very damaging.

Far from achieving the protestors’ goals, it actually harms the environment by creative traffic jams which in turn produce pollution and more CO2 emissions. More information about the protest can be found on the RoadwayLive App.

Brexit hasn't not gone away

Last week the Brexit no deal date was changed.

The main options are:

• the withdrawal agreement is agreed soon, and the UK will exit on 31 December 2020
• the UK doesn’t agree the withdrawal agreement and refuses to hold EU elections - unlikely, but this would mean the UK would exit at the end of June
• no deal with EU elections which is 31 October (the premise around which plans should be made).

The RHA believes preparation must continue at pace. There are major holes in existing arrangements which need to be filled if a fluid border for road freight is to be possible at the end of October (if needed).

The RHA has published a revised checklist for operators based on planning for an October no deal. Duncan Buchanan has also answered some big Brexit questions in this latest video.

National Infrastructure Commission – freight report

The National Infrastructure Commission’s (NIC) recommendations for reducing road freight emissions are simplistic and won’t inspire confidence, says the RHA.

The report urges the government to ban the sale of new diesel HGVs by 2040 to help the sector become carbon-free by 2050.

But the RHA says the NIC’s report lacks a clear roadmap and makes assumptions about technologies and infrastructure that haven’t yet materialised.

RHA chief executive, Richard Burnett said: “Their recommendations are simplistic and fail to spell out how government should lead a realistic, supportive transition from diesel.

See the full story on RoadwayLive.

Police target lorry crime

North Yorkshire police are targeting criminals who are stealing goods from lorries. Operation Cargo sets its sights on gangs who slash curtain-sided vehicles and raid the contents.

Officers are working with drivers, haulage companies, service stations and agencies including the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS). The operation will be ongoing and extended throughout the county, focusing on areas where lorry drivers are vulnerable.

The RHA’s Chrys Rampley said: “Results like this take time, patience and a lot of effort. RHA continues to work with service stations, NaVCIS and police forces to reduce cargo crime.”

“We urge drivers and hauliers to report all theft from vehicles including fuel thefts to the police so we can continue to work in partnership and get results.”

See the latest crime news on RoadwayLive.

Easter period roadworks to be removed

Highways England is preparing to complete hundreds of miles of roadworks for the Easter period.

The aim is to have 99 percent of motorways and major A roads, roadworks-free in time for the long weekend.

Further information from Highways England is available online.