Roadway Update 19 June 2019

Leeds and Birmingham clean air zones delayed

The planned introduction of clean air zone charging in Leeds and Birmingham has been delayed. The councils announced this on 18 June, citing Government commitments to deliver key digital infrastructure is the reason for the postponements.

No new dates have been announced. All that is known is that the zones, set to launch in January 2020, have been ‘significantly postponed’.

RHA chief executive, Richard Burnett says that government is failing to deliver on its own policies and needs to encourage local authorities to look at congestion-easing measures if they’re serious about reducing emissions.

Catch the full story on RoadwayLive.

Consultation on £1 billion A66 investment

Highways England are inviting road users to help shape the £1 billion transformation of the A66 between the M6 at Penrith and A1(M) at Scotch Corner.

The plans being developed are to dual the remaining six single carriageway sections, totalling 18 miles of the 50-mile route. The duelling will improve journey time reliability, safety, network resilience and connectivity in the area.

Anyone wanting to contribute to the consultation can do so by completing a response form online or by email

Driver CPC reminder

The RHA is urging members to check their drivers are on target to complete 35 hours of periodic training by 9 September 2019.

A driver can check their training level and when to expect their next Driver CPC card using the online driver enquiry service. They can also give employers temporary access to training records.

It’s essential that lorry drivers (who drive professionally) hold a valid Driver Qualification Card. Without this they can be fined up to £1,000. This will still be a legal requirement after the UK leaves the EU.

RHA 75th anniversary awards – last call for nominations

To mark its 75-year anniversary, the RHA will be holding an awards ceremony at its Annual Lunch on 11 July 2019.

We know there are many individuals out there that go above and beyond the call of duty on behalf of the industry and we want to acknowledge their contribution.

To nominate yourself or someone within the industry, please complete the online entry form. Closing date is 21 June.

The RHA Award categories are as follows:

• Haulier Diversity Award - Sponsored by Backhouse Jones Solicitors
• Exemplary Employee Award - Sponsored by Michelin
• Livery of the Year Award
• RHA Diamond Haulier Award

Read more about the awards on RoadwayLive

Get your EORI number now

The RHA is urging all members who trade internationally to ensure they have their EORI number, in preparation for a ‘no-deal’ Brexit.

UK operators wanting to undertake international road haulage will need to have a UK Economic Operator Registration Identifier (EORI) number.

It takes around ten minutes to apply and is absolutely critical to ensure that you can continue to import or export goods from/to the EU once we have left on 01 November 2019.

RHA policy director for England and Wales, Duncan Buchanan, discussed EORI numbers as well as other Brexit issues on LBC this week.

Head over to RoadwayLive to find out more about EORI.

Confirming Cobham's parking costs

The RHA has checked the facts after an image circulated on social media claiming Cobham services on the M25 was charging for parking over 35 minutes.

The image claims that £1 is needed to take a 45-minute break at Cobham services on the M25. The image went on to say if payment wasn't made, a charge of £60 would be issued.

After investigating the image, the RHA discovered a case of mistaken identity. Cobham Extra Services (M25) offer 3 hours free parking, and Cobham petrol station (A2) offers 35 minutes free parking, charging £1 per hour after that.

Read the full story on RoadwayLive.