The forthcoming Freight Transport Association’s Utilities and Civil Engineering Conference will give commercial vehicle contractors particularly involved with the utilities sector, a chance to get to grips with the new and impending changes regarding transport legislation and enforcement issues.

Managers and contractors in the utility sector are being presented with new and complicated compliance factors and challenging legislative issues that come about primarily because of the range of different transport fleets used in the sector, and the backup role of commercial vehicles in the carrying out of the personnel’s duties.

The conference will take place on the 23^rd of June in Coventry, West Midlands and will pinpoint the safe loading of vehicles, van compliance and the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) Van Excellence code which is designed to raise standards across the whole sector and has already been embraced by many of the bigger fleet companies.

The editor of Commercial Vehicle Engineer, Tim Blakemore, will chair the event which will also offer information on, alternative vehicle technologies, safety inspections and checks for small trailers and plant vehicles, outsourcing maintenance cover, theft prevention best practice and technological advances in vehicle safety.

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) will give comprehensive presentations on its work with the utilities sector concentrating on its recent roadside enforcement campaign (van drivers should be aware that commercial vehicle insurance is compulsory), trends in MOT passes and updates on the current position of the VOSA testing regime.

The cost of registration for the conference ranges from £150+VAT up to £375+VAT depending on membership of certain organizations.

Van drivers in a North Western town are coming to terms with the news that they are no longer welcome at some of the local council’s tipping sites.

Council bosses in Wigan, Lancashire have decided to exclude vans, trailers and vehicles requiring permits from using two of the tipping sites in the borough. Apparently Household Waste Recycling Centres are becoming congested as the local population have enthusiastically grasped the “green” message of recycling to help the environment.

Dr Gail Robinson the council’s manager of Waste Disposal and Recycling observed “Whilst I am really pleased that recycling at our HWRCs is increasing, I regret that Frog Lane and Orrell sites are now closed to vehicles with trailers or permits. I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but we must put safety first.”

She went on to say “Once again I would like to thank residents for their continued support for recycling. We keep all our sites under review and want to ensure we use them at their most efficient and safest at all times.”

The council have other sites which still allow vans and trailers, namely Kirkless, Chanters Industrial Estate and Slag Lane, The borough’s recycling centres and their opening times: Kirkless, Makerfield Way, Higher Ince, WN2 2PR: Monday-Friday 8am-8pm; Weekends and Bank Holidays 9am-6pm;

Frog Lane, Wigan, WN6 7LB: Monday-Thursday 7.30am-5pm; Friday 7.30am-4.45pm; Saturday 7.45am -4.30pm; Sunday 8am-4.30pm;

Rear of Orrell District Office, Orrell Road, Orrell, WN5 8LY: Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm; Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays 10am-4pm

Slag Lane, Leigh, and Chanters Industrial Estate, Arley Way, Atherton: daily 8am-9pm.

Van drivers are reminded to check that their commercial vehicle insurance policy covers them for towing a trailer.

According to a report issued by the Health Protection Agency for England and Wales, van drivers have something a lot more serious to worry about than the price of their commercial vehicle insurance.

The report suggests that windscreen wiper water is a major cause of Legionnaires disease. The disease is somewhat rare in the UK with around 350 cases reported last year, but the researchers feel that 20% of these could have been caused by the stagnant water in windscreen wiper systems.

The discovery came about when a survey of Legionnaires disease victims highlighted the fact that men who made their livelihood from driving were 5 times more likely to catch the disease. Further research pinpointed those most in danger were van drivers, those who drove through industrial vicinities, and people who spent a large amount of time in a vehicle or had the vehicle window open for long periods.

Regional Director of the HPA South West, Dr Isobel Oliver said that more research would be required but it seems that by simply adding screen wash to the water the danger is dissipated. A pilot study by the HPA revealed traces of Legionella was found in one in five cars that did not have screen wash, but in no cars that did.

An expert in bacteriology, Professor Hugh Pennington asserted that adding screen wash was a really good idea and went on to comment “This is a bug which lives in the environment and will take advantage of warm water systems that are not cleaned out.

“Legionnaires’ is rare but it kills people and it’s an extremely unpleasant disease. If you can prevent it with something this simple then it’s a no brainer really.”

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has decided to defer a decision to include large vans into regulations controlling London’s Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) until 2012.

Originally it was planned to instigate phase 3 of the LEZ later this year but instead the Transport For London (TFL) executives have decided to launch a public consultation into the inclusion of vans into the LEZ in January 2012. The document stipulates that the “oldest, most-polluting larger vans” (i.e. those between 1.2-tonnes and 3.5-tonnes GVW) must meet at least Euro-3 emission standards to enter London without charge. The reason behind the change of heart is the current challenging financial position many traders find themselves in at present.

The news will be welcomed by any van owners, as the proposed charges for non compliance threaten to make any Commercial Vehicle Insurance quote seem like chicken feed. The rate to enter the capital with a non compliant van will be £100 per 24 hours with a charge of £500 per day if the toll is overdue.

The director of congestion charging and traffic enforcement at TFL said “The proposed deferral of the LEZ phase affecting larger vans to 2012 allows more time for owners and operators of vehicles to prepare for this change in what has been a challenging economic climate. Vans and minibuses are responsible for a significant proportion of the emissions that cause air pollution in London.”

Natalie Chapman the Freight Transport Associations head of policy for London warned that one side effect of inclusion would be a drastic fall in the value of second hand non compliant vehicles but insisted that most freight traders would not be affected, saying “The incorporation of vans into the LEZ is not a big problem for the vast majority of our members. Given that all vans built after October 2001 are built to Euro-3 standards anyway, this will really only impact van operators with fleets of more than 10 years old.”

Fleet managers at some of the UK’s biggest companies will have an extra consideration to make this year when it comes to contract renewal, as a new company is offering LPG vans to business customers who are interested in cutting fuel costs.

Auto LPG Vehicle Hire (ALVH) are a new company with just three vans at the moment but are looking to rapidly expand their business when consumers realise how much more economical LPG vehicles can be.

At the moment the company is renting the vans out to local businesses and council authorities in a bid to convert them to the new technology, and at the same time giving them the facts that matter about LPG. ALVH point out that there now over 1400 LPG refuelling stations in the UK and for the Berlingo driver who converts to LPG there is a 75% saving on fuel every time he fills up.

In a bid to get consumers thinking about the possibilities of using LPG vans. The company has a introduced a very completive rental rate, with added extras such as free commercial vehicle insurance, no congestion rate for London and are offering to convert conventional vans to LPG. ALVH are keen to see LPG vehicles compared alongside electric powered vans as a cleaner, green alternative to petrol vehicles.

Oliver Roberts speaking on behalf of ALVH said “Electric cars are still an unproven vehicle; the LPG option has been proven to be cleaner than the equivalent fuel and much more cost effective”.

Nottingham City Council will be getting quotes for commercial vehicle insurance on electric vans from now on, as they announce they have purchased two electric vans to complement their electric pool cars.

The Nottinghamshire Council have procured the vans to enhance their commitment to providing a transport fleet that is primarily based on low carbon emission vehicles. The vans which were purchased from Smiths Electric Vehicles fit in very well with the initiative as they are zero carbon rated.

Further good news for council tax payers in the area came when the council revealed the vans purchase price was comparable to that of a conventional van because of funding provided by the Department of Transports Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme. The scheme is designed to support and encourage public sector organisations such as councils to gradually replace their fleets of conventional vehicles with greener low carbon models in a bid to reduce CO2 emissions and at the same time develop a framework for the UK’s own low carbon technology industry.

Nottingham City Councillor Jane Urquhart commented “The vehicles will operate city wide, providing added environmental benefits in city parks and open spaces. They will also have added value on the city’s night shift due to the reduction in engine noise and, along with our recent purchase of electric buses for the centrelink service, will contribute to our aim to reduce our fleet carbon emissions.”

It is believed the first of the vans will be allocated to one of the city’s latest initiatives namely the Park Ranger scheme while the second will start life in the fleet pool awaiting placement.