Parking appeal delay helpful to trade and industry 06 August 2007

The Freight Transport Association has welcomed new regulations introduced under the Traffic Management Act 2004 aimed at making decriminalised parking enforcement more 'road user friendly'. The new regulations, which will take effect in March 2008, will give independent parking adjudicators increased powers in recognising the mitigating circumstances which have led to what are, technically, offences. FTA says that the new rules now provide flexibility on the imposition of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) and, at the same time, allow a realistic opportunity for companies to process them and, if necessary, a reasonable time to appeal against them. For parking fines sent by post, the regulations will increase the time period to pay at the discounted rate for early settlement, or to make formal representations, from 14 to 21 days. With the increasing prevalence of CCTV as a means of parking enforcement, more and more PCNs will in future be sent by post rather than a ticket being attached to the vehicle at the time of the alleged offence. However, in many cases the PCN will be sent to the company's head office or to the vehicle leasing company, thus delaying notification of the event reaching the driver responsible for the vehicle, and the manager responsible for paying or challenging the fine, until it is too late to take action. A longer period of time to pay at the discounted rate will make it easier to deal with the PCN before the fine doubles. FTA's Regional Policy Manager for London, South East and East of England, Natalie Chapman said, 'These amended regulations will result in a huge benefit for commercial vehicle operators and their drivers. The increased powers now with the adjudicators will, we hope, lead to the application of common sense when dealing with vehicles which have obviously been in the process of collecting or delivering, to the benefit of businesses and their customers. 'As for tickets that actually have been issued, most private car drivers are the 'registered keeper' of the vehicle and a PCN will reach them fairly quickly. However, commercial vehicle operators have a high proportion of leased vehicles and a PCN, having been through a bureaucratic trail process from the leasing company to the leaser to the driver, can take far longer to reach the appropriate person. 'This can result in a substantial cost where, for example, a PCN for a higher rate offence has been issued and the operator has been forced to pay the full rate. In London this can be as much as £120 and where a time delay in receipt has meant they have missed the opportunity to pay at 50 per cent for early settlement, very substantial sums of money are involved. Many companies serving London operate large numbers of vehicles and are presently spending tens of thousands of pounds each year on fines which they would either wish to dispute or settle earlier and cheaper. From next March they will benefit on both counts.'

FTA Welcomes key cross- London rail freight route announcement 31 July 2007

The Freight Transport Association has welcomed the announcement by the Department for Transport of £18.5 million funding from the Transport Innovation Fund for the Gospel Oak to Barking diversionary freight route enhancement to provide additional and diversionary freight capacity. The full details are available on: http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=302424&NewsAreaID =2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False FTA has long been pressing for this work to take place, to allow a gauge-cleared diversionary freight route for 9'6" containers. This will be important during engineering work on the North London Line planned for the Olympics upgrades and other cross-London work. Chris MacRae, FTA's Rail Freight Service Manager said, 'This work is vital to allow extra freight capacity and a diversionary route for the increasing volumes of container and other traffic coming across London. This is not just important for London and the south-east, but for the UK as a whole, because containerised imports from the south-east ports have to cross London to access the Midlands, the North and Scotland. 'Cross-London rail freight capability forms a pivotal part of the UK's core freight network supporting the UK's wider supply chain.'

Steve Bowles steps down as RHA National Chairman 31 July 2007

At last Thursday’s RHA Board of Directors meeting the following statement was made by the chairman Stephen Bowles: "The Board may be aware that some 12 months ago I approached the Traffic Commissioners regarding a change of licence. I have now had a reply from the Deputy Traffic Commissioner who presided over the application and it is with great regret that I must inform the board that this was not successful. "I feel that it is not appropriate for me to continue as National Chairman of the Road Haulage Association, an organisation which is widely held with the deepest respect.” In response Jonathan Bulmer RHA Senior Vice Chairman said: “This is a sad day for the RHA. The Board recognised Steve’s particular circumstances dating from ten years ago, but were confident that his dedication to the Association and the interests of road haulage that he has championed so well made him a good candidate for chairman and he was supported by the Board. However, whilst the Deputy Traffic Commissioner was more than satisfied on his conduct over the past 10 years, we do understand that Steve feels the action he has taken is the only appropriate one. It is our confident hope that he will continue to remain an active and prominent participant in the affairs of the Association”. In a further statement Jonathan Bulmer added: "The Board invited the immediate past chairman Willie Oliver to serve for the remaining 10 months until fresh elections are held with the formation of the new Board of Directors, and he accepted - I will do all I can to assist him."