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IRTE North Eastern Centre celebrates 60th anniversary

The North Eastern Centre of the IRTE celebrated 60 years of existence earlier this month, with a luncheon held at the Sunderland AFC Stadium of Light.
A display of commercial, PSV (public service vehicles) and military vehicles spanning the 60 years were lined up in front of the stadium's main entrance to greet the centre's guests. More than 100 industry guests, including national officers and officials of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE, the umbrella organisation for IRTE) were in attendance, with the event sponsored by 21 road transport companies. In his welcoming speech, centre chairman Peter Reed outlined the important role road transport has played in north east's mining and heavy industry past, and how it has changed as the industrial landscape developed. Gerry Fleming, president of the SOE replied on behalf of the guests, and two keynote speakers then provided guests with the benefit of their industry-related thoughts. Phil Moon, national sales manager for DAF Trucks, continued the theme, speaking on the evolution of road transport, and its impact on society and industry. He also produced statistics that would give anyone pause to reflect on just how efficient, safe and environmentally friendly modern commercial road transport system has become. Dr Colin Herron, managing director of Zero Carbon Futures, then turned the guests' attention to his organisation's stated aim "to be the glue that brings business, academia and other parties together to make exciting things happen". Herron spoke of the challenges facing new vehicle technologies, not only in terms of their acceptance, but also funding and infrastructure – particularly for electrical- and hydrogen-based propulsion. Guests left having been treated to interesting views on how local and inner city commercial transport may evolve in the not too distant future.

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