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Archive for February, 2012

Big companies interested in moving to Lancashire’s enterprise zone

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

A new enterprise zone, which is expected to bring over two-thousand jobs to Lancashire has already attracted interest from a number of large companies. Lancashire County Council has confirmed that talks are at advanced stages with both United Kingdom and overseas companies.

Phil Halsall, Chief Executive of the Council and a prime mover in the initiative, confirmed that the Lancashire Enterprise Zone (LEZ) will be launched in April after being given the green light by Chancellor George Osborne last year. Mr Halsall has been working hard for months trying to encourage companies to relocate to the enterprise zone. Each company who decides to come to the area will benefit from significant tax breaks, more relaxed planning laws and a super-fast broadband network.

Mr Halsall said: “We’re getting a lot of interest from big companies, some coming into Lancashire for the first time. We’re not talking to anybody who wants to move a factory from Burnley to Samlesbury or wants to move to save a few quid. It’s not about displacement. It is about having large manufacturing and highly skilled jobs there. We are interested in companies who want to work in East Lancashire. We spoke with an American company who are interested in coming here as they understand there is a good, highly skilled workforce.”

A number of companies who are interested in moving to the area have a large commercial vehicle fleet which is good news for professional drivers and van insurance providers in the LEZ area. Haulage companies are also showing interest as are logistics companies handling high-value products. The enterprise zone is being spearheaded by Lancashire County Council, the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and BAE Systems.

All involved in the project are confident that this will have a positive impact on the economy of not only Lancashire but the North West in general, as well as bringing in some much needed jobs to the area. Interest has continued to grow in the last few months and after the enterprise zone was initially rejected, it looks set to have a successful future in the North West.

Tags: LEZ, Low Emission Zone, van insurance, Van Insurance Providers
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UK Taxation on Fuel the Highest in EU

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

It will come as no surprise to most van drivers in the UK that British drivers are the most heavily taxed motorists in Europe.

That is the finding of a report emanating from the European Commission Oil Bulletin (ECOB) and explains why commercial drivers in the UK put such importance on finding cheap van insurance in an attempt to keep their motoring costs down. According to ECOB 60% of the price on unleaded and 58% of diesel is tax and fuel duty imposed by the Government. It is by far the highest in Europe and explains why commercial freight organisations are backing the FairFuelUK campaign. Campaigners say the way the Government charges VAT on top of the price of fuel after other taxes have been added, is the reason why we pay the most and the campaigners are urging Chancellor George Osborne to at least change this system.

Diesel, the fuel used by most commercial operations, is significantly higher than anywhere else in Europe, with countries like Germany and France paying well below 50% in taxation, while motorists in Luxembourg only pay 38%. Taxation on unleaded fuel is rather more evenly balanced but nevertheless the UK still comes out as the highest taxed. The cold reality of the figures shows that without taxation, the litre of diesel that you put in your tank today would cost less than 60p!

The figures were disclosed by Philip Davies who may be a Conservative MP but is certainly not on the side of Chancellor George Osborne when it comes to fuel prices; he said, “Fuel duty is already too high and hard-pressed families can’t afford to pay even more. The Government’s debt crisis was caused by spending being too high, not taxes being too low and therefore the solution to the problem is for the Government to cut its spending – not to kick people in the teeth with higher taxes.”

Tags: cheap van insurance, FairFuelUK, Fuel Prices, van insurance
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Check Out a Used Van Purchase

Monday, February 27th, 2012

Commercial vehicle insurance providers are advising van drivers considering purchasing a used van to follow industry guidelines before committing themselves to a deal.

The sale of used vans has increased of late with many small businesses looking to cut back on their overheads. Buying a used van can indeed be a great way to save money but a spokesman for a leading van insurance provider says prospective buyers should follow certain guidelines to ensure their cash is well spent.

It is generally better to buy from a recognised dealer as they are legally bound to sell a vehicle that is free from defects. However, if you are determined to go down the private route and you are not mechanically skilled then it is possibly worth your while getting a professional mechanic to inspect the van. He will check the engine, the electrical set up, as well as ensuring safety features such as the tread on the tyres and the dashboard warning lights satisfy legal requirements. He will also look for tell tale signs of ‘clocking’ such as figures out of alignment on the odometer. It is also quite easy to organise a finance check on the vehicle which will tell you if there is outstanding debt on your proposed purchase or an accident history. It may cost you a few pounds but it’s well worth it simply for your peace of mind.

A spokesman for a leading insurance company said: “When it comes to buying a used van, it is important that buyers take the necessary steps to protect themselves. Being prepared for potential issues that could arise after the sale will give the buyer peace of mind.”

Tags: Second hand vans, Used vans, van insurance
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Thieves Target Van Exhaust Systems

Friday, February 24th, 2012

Commercial vehicle insurance providers are warning van drivers in the North East to keep their vehicles under strong surveillance as thieves launch a crime spree on vehicle exhausts.

As the insurance companies report a spate of claims, police officers from Cleveland Police say thieves may be stealing exhaust systems from vehicles in the area and selling them in London and the South East. They think unscrupulous people looking to avoid penalty charges from the London Emission Zone compliance scheme are buying the stolen parts.

Brian Callendar, owner of Stockton Tees Valley Customs, is the latest victim of the crime spree. His paint and bodywork premises were broken into this week and the exhaust systems from two Mercedes sprinter vans were stolen. The catalytic converters on the vans had special filters which mean the vehicles could travel in the London Emission Zone without penalty and Brian who has been in the business for 25 years is convinced this is why his premises were targeted.

He said: “It seems like they are going into compounds where there’s a lot of vehicles and taking the same part. I’ve heard of a business which had 17 of them taken. I don’t think it’s for the metal value, I think it’s because the DPF particle filter allows them to be driven in London. They may well be pinching them off vehicles in the north for the market down there. The lads who repaired my vehicles for me said they have had quite a few in recently, all with the same part missing. I don’t think it’s specifically Mercs – it’s just anything with these converters on.”

A spokesman for the Cleveland Police admitted that three premises had suffered similar break-ins over the last few days and enquiries were proceeding.

Tags: commercial vehicle insurance, crime, DPF, Theft, Van Theft
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Campaign Group Finalise Plans for Lobby of Parliament

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

Van drivers and commercial drivers from across the UK will boost the ranks of motorists planning to lobby the Houses of Parliament next month as the national campaign for fair fuel prices plans a mass lobby of MPs and Government Ministers.

The FairFuelUK group has galvanised protesters from all over the country to join their fight against the high level of fuel duty imposed by the Government, and on Wednesday March 7th 2012, which is a year to the day their online petition hit the 1 million signatures target, they will amass in the Old Palace Yard directly opposite the Houses of Parliament and commence their action.

The group who now list the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the Freight Transport Association (FTA) as their main sponsors will contain thousands of van drivers who have struggled to keep their businesses afloat as motoring costs have escalated in the last couple of years.

Quentin Wilson, one of the leaders of the campaign, said “All through last year we told the Government that this would happen. They abandoned rises in fuel tax but this diesel price surge has shown that was not enough. Businesses can at least hunt round for competitive commercial vehicle insurance, with fuel they can’t. The Government needs to cut fuel duty decisively now. The politicians need to see the level of despair and anger on this vital issue.”

The lobby is taking place exactly a fortnight before Chancellor George Osborne makes his budget speech to the House of Commons. The FairFuelUK campaigners hope the lobby will attract sufficient numbers to convince the Chancellor that another rise in fuel duty is out of the question and instead he considers bringing the taxes on fuel down.

Tags: commercial vehicle insurance, Fair FuelUK, Freight Transport Association, Fuel Prices, Road Haulage Association
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Nissan go large for their new advertising campaign

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

Nissan has enlisted the help of fifteen HGV trailers in a brand new advertising campaign to promote their new NV400 panel van range to potential business customers. This will be the first advertising campaign for the NV400 since its launch three months ago.

Images of the NV400 panel van have been plastered on the sides of the HGV trailers giving motorists across the UK a steering wheel view of the mobile advertising. The HGV trailer may not move very fast on the roads and motorways of the United Kingdom, but they do have a large amount of advertising space that is on view a lot of hours each day. The trucks will put Nissan’s new van in front of about eighteen million drivers each month. The main focus of the advertising will be on the NV400’s generous load volume.

Francis Bleasdale, Nissan Motor GB’s LCV sales and marketing director, said “The trucks travel daily up and down ten of the country’s main motorways covering 150,000 miles per month, putting Nissan’s new NV400 in front of millions of drivers. What better way to show business users our new NV400 than on the side of a massive HGV. The NV400 is a big van in every sense and we believe this new advertising campaign will get it off to a solid start with British businesses.”

Companies looking to invest in the new NV400 and protecting it with online van insurance can purchase one in either front or rear wheel drive along with a six speed manual or automatic transmission. The NV400 combines comfort with the efficiency needed for the toughest of jobs and with four load lengths and three load heights Nissan are confident that the NV400 will be a van for all occupations.

Tags: HGV, Nissan, NV400 panel van, online van insurance
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List of Eligible Vans for Subsidy Announced this Week

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

The Department for Transport (DfT) are expected to name the electric vans (EV) eligible for the plug in subsidy this week as they try and kick start the interest in zero emission vehicles once more.

There is no doubt that EVs will suit the work done by many urban van drivers and ever since the DfT announced there would be a subsidy of up to £8,000 on the vehicles, fleet managers and small business owners have been waiting for the list to be announced so they could arrange van insurance quotes on the specified motors. Businesses centred in and around the capital will be especially interested because not only will purchasers get the £8,000 subsidy, their vehicles will not be liable to pay the London Congestion Charges. As an added bonus electric vans will not attract any company car tax and many councils in London allow zero emission vehicles free parking.

Certainly Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, believes the new incentive will persuade drivers to go green in a big way. She said: “Our new grant demonstrates that you can be a motorist and still be pro-environment. The new plug-in grant also makes business sense as its been estimated that a small electric van will typically cost £100 less in fuel for every 1,000 miles driven compared to a diesel equivalent.”

She certainly has a point and it is also true to say the restrictive distance of around 100 miles before an EV requires a recharge will not handicap van drivers who spend their working day in an urban environment. They will easily get the mileage required out of the van each day and have time to fully charge the van overnight. The Government will be hopeful that this new initiative will finally put EVs into the public consciousness after a massively disappointing take up in 2011. In the 12 months that was supposed to see the birth of a whole new industry, and when manufacturers unveiled new models with new technology, less than 1000 people invested in a purchase.

Tags: Department for Transport, DfT, Emissions, van insurance, van insurance quotes
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Fleet managers advised to send drivers on a hazard perception course

Monday, February 20th, 2012

According to Graham Hurdle, Managing Director at E-Training World, fleet managers looking to cut their accident rate and reduce wear and tear on company vans will need to focus more on the hazard perception skills of their drivers.

Graham feels that hazard perception is a skill that is frequently lacking in many fleet drivers, and as it can also improve fuel consumption by anticipating the road ahead, fleet managers need to make sure that all drivers are trained as it can be the answer to many of their problems. E-Training World has an online driver risk assessment system which can give an accurate assessment of each driver’s hazard perception skills.

Graham said: “Hazard perception is all about spotting clues to potential hazards. Simple examples are wheelie bins at the side of the road indicating that a dustbin lorry could be round the next corner, horse manure on the road which points towards riders ahead, and children walking in school uniform denoting that a school is not far away. These are all vital indications to an alert driver to temper their driving accordingly, preventing ‘hazard avoidance’ which is where a driver has to slam on their brakes or swerve because they missed the obvious clues.”

Results of tests already carried out show that too many van drivers leave it until the very last second when charging up to roundabouts and other junctions before they brake. Using hazard perception techniques they could reduce their braking and accelerating by monitoring the road ahead in advance and continue their journey more smoothly without putting pressure on the van. Of course fewer accidents means fewer claims on a company’s commercial vehicle insurance policy which in turn results in lower premiums. E-Training World is confident that drivers taking the risk assessment course will save their company a considerable amount of money each year.

Tags: commercial vehicle insurance, Fleet managers, Fleets, van insurance
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Fleet Managers Saving More Than Police With United Front

Friday, February 17th, 2012

An innovative plan to save millions of pounds by a group of adjacent police forces is having spectacular success and may prove to be a model that other forces across the UK follow.

The heads of transport at four police forces, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside, have pooled their fleet resources and in doing so expect to save up to £10 million. The united collaboration has helped the fleet managers bring down the cost of van insurance, vehicle maintenance, vehicle training and van conversions by keeping them in house using their owned skilled mechanics. Furthermore, by using their combined buying power to negotiate deals on costs they have to purchase from elsewhere they have managed to arrange considerable discounts.

Richard Flint, head of transport for the North Yorkshire force, is delighted at how the plan is working, saying: “The regional link-up has been very positive so far and the changes we have made have resulted in some substantial cost savings. The way we are working now is much more viable for the future – we are sharing contracts, keeping costs in-house and redistributing the money within our forces. The regional heads of fleet meet regularly to identify further saving opportunities and monitor the progress of the initiatives we currently have in place.”

The coming together of the transport heads has seen a standardisation of the vehicles purchased by all four forces and the same applies to emergency equipment, all four forces now also use the West Yorkshire Police Commissioning Department in Bradford which is geographically central to the areas. The forces believe that this combination is not only saving money but is also a safer way to work and ensures quicker response times to incidents.

Tags: Fleet managers, van insurance, vehicle fleets
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New Van From Toyota Gives Drivers More Choice

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

With the market in commercial vans becoming more competitive by the day, Toyota has added to the mix by introducing a panel van version of the Avanza. At the moment UK drivers will have to import the model but it is hoped the van will soon be marketed here as well.

It would appear that Toyota have tinkered very little from the MPV model in producing the panel van version, as the new product, most unusually for a van, still has 5 doors. The van will have the same enlarged cabin/cargo space as the MPV version and the same safety features, however, the windows have been blacked out, but not removed, and the floor reinforced to take a 500 kg payload. Toyota has also included a cargo barrier net. The van is also kitted out with super reinforced vinyl cladding.

Calvyn Hammond from Toyota Marketing is delighted with the new model saying: “Just because it works for a living it doesn’t have to look like a truck. The panel van has the same running gear as the 2012 Avanza MPV, with McPherson strut front and five-link coil-spring rear suspension, but with spring and damper rates revised for heavy-duty load-carrying. And, of course, it’s rear-wheel drive, which gives it a tighter turning circle than most of its FWD competitors, and better traction pulling away on a steep hill with a full load, it certainly does the job.”

Up front there is no difference at all. The van has electric windows all round, most unusual for a van, electric power steering, remote central locking and safety features including an immobiliser and dual air bags. Drivers looking to get a commercial vehicle insurance quote on the Avanza can expect to get a 60,000 mile, or 3 year, warranty on the vehicle plus a four year service plan.

Tags: commercial vehicle insurance, Toyota, Toyota Avanza
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