While Wimbledon and the Tories’ first Budget since 1996 are already weeks ago, some of the latter’s detail should be giving us pause for thought. And not only the obvious faults.
Continuing Professional Development
With the LCV 2015 exhibition and conference opening its doors next month at Millbrook, Brian Tinham examines the prospects for low-carbon vehicle technologies
The march of technology continues to iron out performance variations between drivers, but which systems should you use? And which approaches work best? Ian Norwell reports
Driver CPC
The IRTE Skills Challenge recognises and rewards excellence in bus and coach service and repair. Brian Tinham reports from the fifth annual awards ceremony in Birmingham
Apprenticeships
Advanced driver assistance systems – based on active, not just passive, safety – are already here and shortly to be mandated. Brian Tinham reports from Heyford Park on current and upcoming systems
Road Safety
Industry’s demands on road haulage continue to push limits. Ian Norwell takes a look at two new tridem tractors: DAF’s XF 510 FTM Super Space Cab and Volvo’s FH-16 750 Globetrotter
Road Safety
Spirits haulage firm McPherson has taken delivery of its first Mercedes-Benz truck for more than five years, an Actros 2545 tractor, and this will be joined by another Actros in October.
Tractor Units
Team Renwick, the team behind leading British showjumper Laura Renwick, has taken delivery of its latest high-spec horsebox – a Euro 6 DAF CF 440 FAR 6x2 rigid with bodywork by KM Horseboxes.
Rigids
British Gas has signed a deal with Michelin to fit CrossClimate tyres throughout its 13,000-strong commercial vehicle fleet.
Tyres & Retreads
Natural gas producer and distributor Gasrec – which serves the commercial vehicle industry – says it is “surprised and saddened” to see that a report published by the London Assembly Environment Committee on cutting emissions in the capital “completely ignored” natural gas.
Alternative Fuels
Longer semi-trailers (LSTs) pose no greater safety risk and are valuable contributors to reducing HGV miles and hence also congestion and carbon emissions.
Longer Heavier Vehicles
Although London’s Safer Lorry scheme becomes effective in London this September – requiring the fitment of additional standard mirrors and sideguards on trucks in the capital – safety campaigning group SteerSafe says the new measures still leave blind spots.
Safety systems