Features

19/07/2024

Public sector procurement experts Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has launched the latest version of their agreement for vehicle telematics. LAPV reports.

12/07/2024

With all the changes to waste and recycling services coming down the track, councils are looking to ensure they have the right fleet in place. LAPV looks at some examples of the roll-out of refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) over the last few months.

24/05/2024

Mark Sawyer, Commercial Director of CPL, talks to LAPV about the importance of getting the right cherry picker for the job in a changing regulatory landscape.

10/05/2024

The RAVO family of sweepers is growing and they are exclusively available in the UK through Scarab Sweepers. LAPV reports.

03/05/2024

Giles Benbow, Senior Manager of Business and Partnership Development at Mer UK takes a look at electrifying HGVs.

26/04/2024

12/04/2024

02/02/2024

10/01/2024

The EU General & Pedestrian Safety Regulation (GSR) requires truck manufacturers to offer a range of features designed to protect vulnerable road users. LAPV talks to Andy Graves, CRM, Data & Insights Manager, Dennis Eagle, about what the truck manufacturer is doing to improve safety.

08/12/2023

Lee Marshall, policy and external affairs director, CIWM looks at the Government’s recycling reforms and what they mean for local authorities.

13/10/2023

Thomas McLennan, head of policy and public affairs, BVRLA looks at how local authorities can help develop fleet friendly electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

06/10/2023

North Somerset Council has trialled a recycling and waste system never before seen in the UK. LAPV looks at how they got on.

22/09/2023

Westminster City Council and Veolia have launched the UK’s largest electric refuse collection fleet. LAPV visited the local authority’s new depot to find out more.

28/07/2023

A huge swathe of batteries from older electric cars and vans are about to become redundant. Can we give them a second life before they are recycled – or worse still, go to landfill? LAPV reports.

14/07/2023

Wrapping your vehicles can bring a whole host of benefits from advertising to protection, according to Creative Vehicle Wrapping (CVW). LAPV finds out more.

09/06/2023

The city of Barcelona has gone all in on electric refuse collection vehicles (RCVs). LAPV talks to Andrew Scott, head of Electric Mobility at Renault Trucks, to find out what it would take for the UK to do the same.

26/05/2023

The transport innovation company TRAILAR argues that their solar solutions will help local authority fleets reduce their carbon emissions. LAPV reports.

28/04/2023

Technical development manager at SUEZ, Thomas Merry, provides an update on FPF FlexCollect; the most extensive household collection and recycling project of its kind ever undertaken in the UK.

09/03/2023

Dawsongroup emc is gearing up for a busy surface dressing season with their expanded fleet and flexible contract hire options this spring. LAPV reports.

03/02/2023

JCB’s Pothole Pro can help local authorities reduce their costs and improve their productivity. LAPV reports.

16/12/2022

As the year comes to a close, Paul Beddows, sales director at Dawsongroup emc, reflects on a strong year for the business.

07/12/2022

FZ UK does more than just sell trucks. They offer a turnkey solution that matches local authorities with the vehicles and infrastructure that best suit their needs. LAPV talks to FZ UK’s commercial director, Stewart Gregory, to learn more.

20/10/2022

The environmental services contractor, Ubico, is owned entirely by local authorities and is going from strength to strength. LAPV reports.

14/10/2022

Workshop equipment experts Totalkare make the case for why local authority workshops should invest in a tyre changer. LAPV reports.

06/10/2022

Waste collection and recycling specialists nationwide are enjoying the benefits of Mercedes-Benz Econic operation – and none more so than Greener Ealing. LAPV reports.

29/09/2022

Conwy County Borough Council is the first Welsh local authority to have taken delivery of a 100% electric-powered recycling truck. LAPV finds out more.

23/09/2022

Historically, demountable bodies have not been popular in the UK. However, Bucher Municipal argues that we will be seeing them more and more on our streets. LAPV reports.

02/09/2022

With the new collaboration between RWM & Letsrecycle Live 2022 just over a week away, 12,000 visitors are set to descend on the NEC in Birmingham on 14-15 September 2022 for two action-packed days. Here we look at the top 10 things to do at the show that mean you cannot afford to miss it!

05/08/2022

Allison Thomas, strategic director – service delivery, South Derbyshire District Council, discusses the council’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions, including the trial of dual fuelled hydrogen-powered refuse vehicles.

29/07/2022

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils were the first rural councils to use Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in their fleets and they haven’t looked back. LAPV reports.

22/07/2022

The ever increasing price of petrol and diesel is putting fleet operators under a lot of pressure. Ramsy Labassi, marketing manager, Bradshaw Electric Vehicles argues that this could lead to an increase in the demand for electric utility vehicles. LAPV reports.

05/07/2022

In the latest of our series of interviews with transport managers, LAPV talked to Robin Moore, Fleet & Asset Manager, Greater Cambridge Shared Waste (GCSW). GCSW is a strategic partnership between Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.

01/07/2022

Andy Peart, marketing director at Yotta, looks at EV infrastructure and the role of asset management.

23/06/2022

To mark International Women in Engineering Day, Terri Logan, electric vehicle charging project engineer for public charge point operator Liberty Charge, spoke to LAPV about prejudice in education, being the only woman on her engineering degree, why diversity is important, and why she finds electric vehicle charging engineering so fascinating.

09/06/2022

For our series of interviews with transport managers, LAPV talked to Oliver Faiers, corporate manager for recycling, waste, and fleet at Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, to learn more about the local authorities’ shared fleet.

06/05/2022

With the end of the tax rebate on red diesel, Scarab’s single engine sweeper comes into its own.

25/04/2022

Dennis Eagle’s new Elite+ cab promises to be the 21st century workstation for drivers and crews. LAPV reports.

12/04/2022

Local authorities thinking about making the transition to electric fleets require reliable EV charging infrastructure. EQUANS EV Solutions and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have been working together to deliver just that. LAPV reports.

07/04/2022

Commercial vehicle safety is top of the agenda for all local authorities. Brigade Electronics’ Emily Hardy talks to LAPV about the importance of ensuring van safety is not neglected.

11/02/2022

West Lindsey District Council has opened its new multi-million-pound depot, which was two decades in the making. LAPV goes behind the scenes.

04/02/2022

LAPV talks to FAUN-Zoeller UK CEO Simon Hyde about the company’s determination to support the drive to net zero.

24/01/2022

LAPV caught up with Neil Spence, supervisor and driver for Islington Council, and Refuse Vehicle Solutions (RVS) managing director Spencer Law to learn more about RCV conversions.

21/01/2022

Cllr James Spencer, cabinet member for city management, Westminster City Council looks at the local authority’s switch to electric vehicles for waste collection and street cleansing.

21/12/2021

Nick Power, hydrogen business development manager – EMEA, Haskel Hydrogen Systems Group, looks at the role of hydrogen buses in decarbonisation.

12/11/2021

Dave Luscombe, Special Projects Consultant at the Construction Equipment Association (CEA), looks at what councils can do to create greener construction sites.

28/10/2021

Southampton City Council is seeing electrifying results from its fleet of four new all-electric eSwingo compact sweepers from Aebi Schmidt UK which are making a vital contribution to meeting the Council’s environmental objectives under its Greener City Charter.

22/10/2021

With councils holding a pivotal role in meeting the net zero emissions target by the new date of 2035, Lancashire Renewables Ltd welcomes the UK’s first fully electric 35-ton waste handlers to the industry. LAPV reports.

14/10/2021

As well as suppling a wide range of vehicles, Specialist Fleet Services Ltd (SFS) also provides workshop management expertise. LAPV reports.

08/10/2021

Aebi Schmidt’s articulated Multigo 150 sweeper is a remarkably versatile machine which can meet the varied needs of local authorities. LAPV reports.

30/09/2021

Creative Vehicle Wrapping (CVW) argues that vehicle wrapping is an effective means of tactical messaging that is gaining momentum across many sectors. LAPV reports.

23/09/2021

Dominique Butchard, Category Manager, Crown Commercial Service (CCS) provides some insight into CCS’ new tyres, glass and fast fit services agreement.

16/09/2021

Terberg Matec UK introduces their new ORUS collection body for flexible and efficient food waste collection. LAPV reports.

09/09/2021

Minibuses are an important and flexible part of your fleet, but the procurement process can be daunting. Crown Commercial Service is here to help you source a minibus that meets your needs.

05/08/2021

Zemo Partnership has launched a new scheme to boost uptake and confidence in renewable fuels. Gloria Esposito, Zemo’s head of sustainability, explains how it works.

29/07/2021

Oxford City Council’s capital programme project manager Tina Mould and Oxford Direct Services’ (ODS) transport manager Owain Pearce explain how the council and ODS are working together to decarbonise transport across the city.

22/07/2021

After declaring a climate emergency in 2019, Doncaster Council is building a 20 space ‘electric only’ carpark as part of its fleet decarbonisation journey. LAPV reports.

15/07/2021

Nottingham Electric Vehicle Services (NEVS) is leading the way when it comes to EV maintenance. LAPV finds out more about what is believed to be the first council-run, ULEV-exclusive workshop to be operational in the UK.

08/07/2021

The City of London Corporation is running a full fleet of electric refuse collection vehicles as part of the effort to tackle air pollution in the capital. LAPV learns more about the City Corporation’s journey.

01/07/2021

Urbaser Commercial Services Ltd (ULCS) is using the latest software and technology to deliver efficient, paperless commercial collection service. LAPV finds out more.

30/06/2021

Chris Hampton, product & business development manager – hydrogen at BOC UK & Ireland, provides a quick guide to hydrogen infrastructure.

22/06/2021

Aebi Schmidt offers smart digital solutions for public sector transport managers to monitor, control and optimise daily operations. LAPV finds out more.

26/04/2021

BCP Council trials Crown Oil’s Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in two of its refuse trucks. LAPV reports.

19/04/2021

Dundee City Council is a trail blazer when it comes to EV adoption. How have they done it? LAPV reports.

16/04/2021

RVS recently became the exclusive supplier of MOL VDK refuse vehicles in the UK after they acquired HE Municipal Engineering Services. LAPV finds out how they are getting on.

07/04/2021

Aebi Schmidt has launched its first all-electric sweeper, the eSwingo 200+, which has been taken up by – among others – Southampton City Council. LAPV has the details.

29/03/2021

Managing data can be a time-consuming task for even the most organized of fleet managers. FleetClear from Innovative Safety Systems (ISS) might well be the answer. LAPV reports.

18/02/2021

Dennis Eagle’s zero-emissions eCollect went into service in the UK last autumn. How did the decision to build an all-electric vehicle come about? LAPV reports.

18/02/2021

In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week last week, FCC Environment – one of the UK’s leading waste and resource management companies – is shining a light on Sara Afu-Clackett, who started her journey with the organisation as an apprentice in 2018.

11/02/2021

Guildford Borough Council has saved money and encouraged its commercial waste customers to improve their recycling habits thanks to c-trace’s bin weighing system. LAPV reports.

04/02/2021

The refuse collection vehicle manufacturer, Dennis Eagle, has launched the first electric RCV to be designed and built by an original equipment manufacturer. LAPV reports.

28/01/2021

The UK aims to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Energy Saving Trust (EST) looks at what councils can do to make their fleets carbon neutral.

15/10/2020

The Lancashire-based sweeper experts at Multevo have launched what they describe as ‘a superior multi-purpose sweeper’ to mark their 10-year anniversary. LAPV reports.

06/10/2020

Hako Machines and the infrastructure support service provider, Amey Plc, have agreed a deal that will see them working together to support Scottish infrastructure over the next eight years. LAPV finds out more.

28/09/2020

Johnston Sweepers joined the global response to the pandemic by making it easier to turn a normal sweeper into a street washer. LAPV finds out how it was done.

18/09/2020

Paul Connor, Head of Tenders and Procurement at Specialist Fleet Services Ltd (SFS), gives an overview on the benefits of contract hire over outright purchase in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

03/09/2020

Mark Page, strategic account director, Public Sector, at Cradlepoint looks at why enterprise-grade wireless connectivity is essential for organisations in the public transport industry.

28/07/2020

Cardiff City Council has joined forces with Engenie to rollout a rapid EV charging network across the city. LAPV reports.

22/07/2020

Scarab firmly believes that single-engine sweepers provide the industry with the best green sweeper solution. LAPV finds out why.

02/07/2020

LAPV talked to Gavin Thoday, CEO at Innovative Safety Systems (ISS) about the company’s latest development in vehicle safety technology – an all in one, fleetwide live video recording, tracking and telemetry solution.

23/06/2020

Future Fleet Forum always stimulates debate, and the round table discussion that took place before the conference saw manufacturers, policy makers, and local authority representatives from around the world share their thoughts on pressing industry issues from safety to skills. Lotte Debell reports.

04/06/2020

Johnston Sweepers has launched their all-new fully electric Bucher City Cat V20e Compact to the UK sweeper market.

19/05/2020

This year’s Future Fleet Forum brought the best and the brightest from the fleet sector to the Guildhall in London to share experiences, overcome challenges, and help map out the sector’s future. Lotte Debell reports.

06/05/2020

Oxford City Council and a local college have reduced the amount of rubbish going to landfill and saved thousands of pounds in the process thanks to Vehicle Weighing Solution bin weighing system.

28/04/2020

Local authorities have a duty to do all they can to ensure the safety of residents and employees. Vision Techniques’ innovative safety solution for braking refuse vehicles can help councils protect the whole community.

15/04/2020

After Cardiff awarded a tender for a new sweeper fleet on contract hire, the council found that close cooperation between suppliers and the implementation of smart telematics could help achieve significant savings and improve efficiency. LAPV reports.

03/03/2020

While the automotive and fleet sector focuses on alternative fuels and EV fleets, people often overlook the role fuel additives can play in reducing emissions and fuel consumption.

24/02/2020

Paul Connor, Head of Tenders and Procurement at SFS, comments on the impact of electric vehicles on the public sector and provides his outlook for all-EV municipal fleets.

24/02/2020

Hako's Managing Director, Sylvie Giangolini, explains how Hako has significant developments in store for 2020, including an electricarticulated sweeper that can work in any season, reports LAPV.

12/02/2020

Despite the UK’s charging infrastructure receiving a welcome boost in 2019, there exists a hum-drum of concern around electric vehicles, particularly over range anxiety and vehicle cost.

30/01/2020

Hydrogen fuel cell RCVs will take to the streets in seven European cities this year as part of the EU-funded HECTOR project to assess the potential of this technology to decarbonise waste fleets. Lotte Debell reports.

28/11/2019

Exeter City Council welcomes the delivery of its new fleet as part of a new 7-year fleet contract hire agreement with Specialist Fleet Services (SFS). 

26/11/2019

Apollo Live consists of an axle and gross vehicle axle bridge that provides real-time weight data and features ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) identification for integrated security barrier control.

01/11/2019

 Engcon UK held its second Big Dig Day of 2019 near Yeovil on October when hundreds of operators came to get hands-on experience with products.

25/10/2019

There are 12 months to go until London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) requirements are expanded.  Carlos Vicente, Retrofit Sales Director, Eminox, offers insight on what this means for fleet operators.

24/10/2019

In a bid to combat the hike in damage claims, Brindley, the largest family-owned car dealership in the West Midlands, recently worked with Sentinel Systems to install a camera and recording device onto one of its vehicles.

14/10/2019

In a world where waste streams and recycling targets change constantly, the new Terberg Kerbloader recycling truck has been designed to provide the flexibility operators need, reports LAPV.

11/10/2019

The City of Edmonton’s Fleet Analytics and Strategic Technology team in Canada has introduced a state-of-the-art analytical tool to assist with the maintenance of the city’s 5,000-strong vehicle fleet. Edmonton’s Colleen Kroening and Steve Rapanos talk about how FAST’s strategic management and reporting capabilities have streamlined data management and improved overall business performance. Matty Flores reports.

11/10/2019

Just why is there such a skills shortage in fleet management and how can the industry resolve it? That was the hot topic at a special roundtable debate in June organised by the SOE and chaired by Ann-Marie Knegt, Editor of LAPV.

19/09/2019

Inefficient delivery management at construction sites in London is responsible for pumping thousands of tonnes of CO2 into the environment every year, increases the risk of collisions, and adds to congestion in an already congested city. Noel Byrne tells LAPV about a new app that aims to solve this problem by managing deliveries in real-time.

10/04/2019

When considering equipment to support its new purpose-built workshop, Brian Robinson Machinery decided to purchase a Stertil Koni heavy duty, surface-mounted Skylift in preference to an excavated inspection pit.

08/04/2019

Focusing on just England and for the period covering 2016/17, the Department for Transport found that the population held 9.8 million older and disabled concessionary travel passes too. Is enough being done to make the nation's means of public transport accessible for disabled people and the elderly though, asks Lee Dover from stairlift manufacturer Acorn Stairlifts.

05/04/2019

What can you read in LAPV Spring 2019? Read your latest copy of LAPV by clicking on the link or the cover.

02/04/2019

01/04/2019

Europe's first fully-electric truck-mounted sweeper from Johnston Sweepers is set to offer local authorities a zero-emissions street-cleaning solution to help tackle air and noise pollution, reports LAPV.

01/04/2019

We see the blue lights flashing and sirens blaring, but how is that police car purchased, equipped, maintained, and decommissioned? Chris Brown, former police fleet manager, tells LAPV about the key challenges he faced keeping a fleet of 1,000 police vehicles on the road.

04/03/2019

Venson Automotive Solutions is bridging the skills gap in the fleet and automotive sector with an ‘Upskilling Programme', an initiative that nurtures a new generation of HGV Technicians.

27/02/2019

The estimated cost to the UK for cleaning up graffiti is over £GBP 1 billion. Municipal decision-makers, service providers and employees of housing associations are looking for an easy, reliable, gentle yet environmentally friendly method of removing unwanted graffiti, reports LAPV.

26/02/2019

 Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council is promoting recycling initiatives and bulky waste collections via messaging on its RCVs

12/02/2019

Organised by LAPV, the City of London and the City of New York, and supported by CILT, Future Fleet Forum was the culmination of a year of international work and coordination to pull together leaders from around the world to promote fleet safety and sustainability, writes Eric Richardson, Deputy Chief Fleet Manager for the City of New York.

29/01/2019

Europe's first major class action related to public health and air pollution is underway in Antwerp, Belgium, asserting that the city's Low Emission Zone is detrimental to human health.

29/01/2019

Acumen, the provider of industrial site services and waste management solutions, has deployed the latest mobile workforce technology to streamline and expand its business.

15/11/2018

Biffa's campaign to stop dangerous driving on pavements won the Best Fleet/Road Safety Initiative at the 2018 Future Fleet Awards. Biffa municipal health and safety coach Dave West tells LAPV how the scheme has evolved and is now moving beyond the waste sector. Lotte Debell reports.

15/11/2018

Leeds City Council won the 2018 Future Fleet award for the Most Innovative Fleet Management Strategy. Terry Pycroft, head of services, tells LAPV about the council's ambitious plans for a fully alternatively-fuelled fleet and why the award helps keep the momentum going. Lotte Debell reports.

15/11/2018

The Future Fleet Awards are returning for 2019, bigger and better than ever before. The event is taking place in the Great Hall of the Guildhall in the City of London on January 23 2019.

03/10/2018

Barry's Skip Hire has a new Mercedes-Benz eight-wheeled hookloader with a point to prove.

07/09/2018

Kent-based Equinox Recycling has noticed a significant impact on its revenue since installing its entire fleet of waste collection vehicles with bin-weighing systems, all of which have been fully weights and measures certified for Pay-by-Weight services. Every collection is weighed to within 1kg and customers are charged according to what they dispose of.

20/07/2018

After acquiring its first ever Isuzu vehicle three years ago, London based recycling company First Mile now has more than 20 in its fleet of 62 vehicles, all based on the Isuzu Forward 7.5 tonne rigid chassis cab.

19/07/2018

Chepstow Plant International has signed a deal with SMT GB for the supply of 99 machines for its mineral, aggregates and earthmoving fleet.

29/06/2018

A new EC02 tiltrotator package supplied to John Clarke Mini Digger Hire by Engcon is credited with helping the company win 85% of jobs they quote for.

22/06/2018

The Groundcare Division of Thomas Sherriff has become an official GKB Machines dealer.

14/06/2018

William Hamilton & Sons has bought a Volvo L150H loading shovel to work on a new contract handling residual waste for South Lanarkshire Council and Viridor.

13/06/2018

North-east England-based THC Landscapes has bought a replacement hydrostatic drive Reform Metrac H4X mower.

12/06/2018

Industrial weighing manufacturers Avery Weigh-Tronix has celebrated 200th birthday party with a Best of British themed bash for employees.

08/05/2018

Dublin-based plant hire firm GK Hire has just bought 13 more Kubota mini-excavators to bolster its fleet and meet increasing demand from the construction market in Ireland.

12/03/2018

Good workshop management isn't just about costs and savings. Spencer Law, MD of Refuse Vehicle Solutions, told LAPV how to create and maintain an efficient workshop and a happy, productive workforce.

12/03/2018

Three alternative fuel choices are now available to customers of Johnston Sweepers as part of the company's programme of research into new environmentally-friendly fuel technologies.

10/03/2018

New York City already operates the largest municipal fleet in the world ' precisely 30,457 vehicles at the time of Future Fleet Forum ' and the largest alternative fuels fleet. Now it is vying for a new title ' the fleet of the future.

10/03/2018

Delegates were promised a ‘warts and all' insight into fleet management by Norman Harding, from the London Borough of Hackney, as he addressed the borough's work with biofuels and electric vehicle technology in its aspiration to create a zero carbon fleet.

10/03/2018

'Stop focusing on individual road users and start changing behaviour at a cultural level to improve road safety,' said Professor Claes Tingvall, former head of traffic safety at the Swedish Traffic Administration, who discussed the development of Vision Zero in Sweden in the 1990s.

10/03/2018

It is estimated that particle pollution is responsible for 29,000 early deaths in the UK each year, of which around 3,500 are in London, said Dr Gary Fuller, air pollution scientist at King's College London. Pollution shortens the lives of all Londoners by 16-18 months on average. Like many European cities, London does indeed have an air quality crisis.

10/03/2018

The first email was sent in 1970. Today, there are more than two billion emails sent each day. The pace of change in the modern world is now so fast that innovation within organisations is essential, said Richard Atkinson, director of marketing and communications at CILT. His presentation focused on how to unlock the innovation culture within an organisation and harness the creativity of employees.

10/03/2018

The UK currently has one of the best procurement systems in the world, according to Christopher Bovis, professor of international and European business law at the University of Hull. His presentation focused on the potential disruption to this system from Brexit, and why negotiations for access to the customs union and single market will be so important.

10/03/2018

‘No one is going to go broke going green,' said Mike Britt, who worked at UPS for 31 years before setting up a consulting business last year, in his presentation on advanced-propulsion systems. But if manufacturers are going to make a profit from sustainable vehicles they need economies of scale, so there need to be changes on the demand side. 

10/03/2018

The Mayor of London is passionate about supporting a growing city but he wants the cleanest, safest vehicles on the roads, smarter fleet operations, and protection for industrial land ' that was the message from Alex Williams, director of city planning at Transport for London, who opened Future Fleet Forum by outlining Mayor Sadiq Khan's priorities for London's transport sector.

05/03/2018

After nine months using the Volvo's L45H loading shovel, North Wales recycling company owner Harry Parry says he's delighted with it.

28/02/2018

Aggregate Industries, based in Bardon Hill, Leicestershire, needed to make improvements to fuel supply facilities at its Bardon Hill quarry. They chose Cameron Forecourt for the job.

16/02/2018

The Royal Borough of Greenwich bagged the top environmental award at LAPV's Future Fleet Forum awards. Here's why.

24/01/2018

The success of two existing Stertil Koni vehicle lifts was a major factor in ordering a SKY 250 Skylift for the vehicle washbay in Beverley, says East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

23/01/2018

GAP Hire Solutions bought more than 100 new Kubota KX027-4 excavators in 2017. 

17/01/2018

If you oversee fork lift operations you'll be familiar with the term Thorough Examination but what does it actually mean? Not knowing could come at a heavy cost, according to CFTS, the body that established a UK standard for the Thorough Examination of fork lift trucks.

06/12/2017

Come along to Future Fleet Forum 2018 to see the new fully-electric 26-ton refuse collection vehicle from Electra, the new EV venture formed by NRG Fleet Services. NRG's Sid Sadique and Russell Markstein tell LAPV about the significance of this new launch.

06/12/2017

A two-year study into the impact platooning trucks is likely to have in the UK will assess whether it can benefit the country's economy and road system, including its effects on safety, fuel efficiency, and congestion. Lotte Debell reports.

14/11/2017

Helping people remember what rubbish goes into which wheelie bin or recycling box is a challenge for local authorities trying to increase recycling rates and divert waste from costly treatment or landfill.

17/10/2017

Berkshire-based Shorts Group has added a fourth Volvo ECR235 excavator to its growing machinery fleet.

26/09/2017

EP Barrus Ltd marked its 100th birthday on September 18th, 2017. You may not be familiar with the name Barrus, but you will be familiar with the brands in its portfolio: Mercury outboard engines; Quicksilver leisure and fishing boats; John Deere and Yanmar marine and industrial engines, Cub Cadet garden machinery; WOLF-Garten and Wilkinson Sword garden tools … to name but a few.

26/09/2017

Taunton-based contractors Ecology Works had pretty compelling reasons for adding a Shibaura SG280 Slope Mower to their fleet, as owner Drew Harris explained.

17/07/2017

Criminals are still targeting smaller construction plant for theft but equipment tracking specialist AMI Group is continuing to recover stolen machines, as highlighted by the company's latest recovery where a stolen Bomag BW120 roller was found in a transit van.

30/03/2017

Only 5% of telematics users had any grumbles about the technology, according to a nationwide survey by Crewe-based Radius Payment Solutions

13/03/2017

Former JCB digger maker-turned FA Cup hero Matt Rhead was given a rousing reception when he retraced his footsteps on the production line where he worked for almost a decade.

02/03/2017

Whale Tankers has long-running apprenticeship scheme through which young people can learn through a combination of hands-on training and academic study.

22/02/2017

Forklift and warehouse trucks for NHS Wales will be supplied by Toyota Material Handling UK which has been chosen as a partner for materials handling equipment by the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP.

04/02/2017

Outsourcing the maintenance of its refuse collection vehicle fleet has paid off, says Exeter-based waste management company Devon Contract Waste (DCW).

31/01/2017

This year, it will be 185 years since Ransomes produced the first model of Edwin Budding's patented lawnmower design at a factory in Ipswich and the rest is history. 

17/01/2017

Despite the economic and political uncertainties, 2016 was a good year reports Hyva UK, with the truck market remaining strong.

17/01/2017

Sampling oil correctly and regularly can highlight potential problems in off-road vehicles before they become serious, says a technical expert from a leading lubricant manufacturer.

03/01/2017

Fleet operators face increasing costs as a result of changes in vehicle air conditioning gas regulations from January 1, 2017, according to fleet supply chain management company Fleet Assist.

16/12/2016

Spare a thought for the 15 maintenance engineers at Britannia Washing Systems who have been working around the clock to get vehicle washing systems in service for customers.

22/11/2016

Big pick-ups run by public sector fleets could inadvertently be breaking the law, says vehicle leasing and fleet management company Arval.

01/11/2016

The new Mercedes Concept X-CLASS, from Mercedes-Benz Vans, is a pickup designed to combine the best of two worlds: as a utility vehicle but also as an urban lifestyle vehicle.

27/10/2016

Infrastructure services firm Eurovia has bought a new Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor unit with a King low-loader semi-trailer.

11/10/2016

What have the Pope, a life-sized rubber doll and a nude painting of Albert Einstein got in common?

27/09/2016

On-board weighing specialists Vehicle Weighing Solutions Ltd (VWS) is working with Derbyshire Trading Standards to ensure robust testing procedures are in place.

12/09/2016

Time is money for plant operators so when one calls to raise the alarm over a broken down digger or excavator, specialist repairer TD Bowles needs to know its engineer's van will get him to the scene as quickly as possible.

01/09/2016

For the first time in the history of Marshall Fleet Solutions, the Cambridge based company now has more than 12,000 assets running on full repair and maintenance contracts with customers, representing an increase of almost 200% in its contracts work over the past three years.

01/09/2016

In the world of resource management the four R's of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover take centre stage. In South Gloucestershire, where Suez Recycling and Recovery UK and South Gloucestershire Council have been working together for 17 years to collect and manage household waste, changes are on the horizon.

01/09/2016

Modern engine design has resulted in higher operating temperatures. Meirion Buck, senior design & technical manager for Harnessflex, explains why conduit and fittings that support high temperature wiring and connectors that are vital in the drive for greater engine efficiency and performance.

31/08/2016

Since introducing its range of wireless mobile column lifts in 2006, Stertil Koni has been a key player in the servicing and maintenance of commercial and public service vehicles.

11/08/2016

Exeter-based waste management company Devon Contract Waste (DCW) says it can now bill its customers more fairly and consistently after installing the Enviroweigh bin weighing system from Vehicle Weighing Solutions (VWS) onto its fleet.

24/07/2016

The combination of connectivity, automation and shared vehicle ownership and use has the potential to make car travel greener and cheaper, cutting energy use and helping accelerate the introduction of low carbon vehicles. However, these energy and carbon benefits are by no means guaranteed and will require strategic policy interventions to make them work, according to the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS) at the University of Leeds.

12/07/2016

David Paisley proprietor of nationwide contracting company Pennine Environmental Solutions says he attributes the growth of his business to the acquisition, almost four years ago, of his 59hp, 4 cylinder, diesel powered, hydrostatic drive Reform Metrac H5X.

22/06/2016

Hampshire Fire and rescue service has launched a new road safety project that will nudge drivers into safer behaviour. Councils and contractors alike have started using this low cost solution on their own fleets, reports LAPV.

22/06/2016

Aebi Schmidt's Swingo compact sweeper is celebrating its 40th birthday. Since first being introduced back in the 1970s, the machine has won many accolades and Swingos are constantly in action all over the world on city streets, airports and military bases. LAPV talked to Aebi Schmidt's new MD Richard Bryant and international key account manager Mike Moore about the Swingo's development.

22/06/2016

Refuse collection vehicle drivers always use a reversing assistant when their vehicle has to back up ' local authorities and their sub-contractors insist on it as they are determined to avoid reversing accidents. The reversing assistant carefully guides the driver backwards, ensuring the vehicle doesn't hit anything or anyone. That, at least, is the theory, writes Steve Banner.

22/06/2016

Celia Norton, from Holder UK, says their multi-purpose vehicles are Masters of all trades - not Jacks. Steve Banner put them to the test in Germany.

22/06/2016

RVS has launched another service and now offers a hire fleet made up of both new and used vehicles. This includes a range of 15 tonne and 26 tonne RCVs, hook-loaders, top-loaders and front-end-loaders, all available for short and long-term projects. LAPV reports.

22/06/2016

Whether you operate one or more waste and recycling sites, managing the influx of material efficiently and economically are two of the biggest challenges. Chris Cox, JCB's general manager for the waste and recycling sector, explains how the right machine can help improve operations and safety. Dan Roberts reports.

21/06/2016

The Kent to Ghent bike ride took place from 12-14 May 2016. A team of keen 34 cyclists and support vans set off from the Southern Municipal Exhibition in East Mallling, Kent, with the final destination Ghent. The journey took place over three days and 150 miles. LAPV Editor Ann-Marie Knegt took part in this epic event.

21/06/2016

Dutch company Jewel sees winter as its route into the UK transport arena with a maintenance package that also has applications in other markets, such as with the emergency, street scene and waste services, reports Ann-Marie Knegt.

21/06/2016

McGee Construction wanted to make its fleet of HGVs safer for those on two wheels so it turned to a group of design students ' many of whom are cyclists. Jemma Dempsey met those involved in the latest innovative cycle-safety product which is already patent-registered.

21/06/2016

With the British government recently announcing plans for a trial of truck platooning, Jemma Dempsey investigated the practicalities of the system and the challenges of turning the idea into reality

20/06/2016

Picture this: It's rush-hour on a cold, wet Monday morning. The heavy traffic is moving slowly through town. Queues of grim-faced commuters are growing longer at every junction. To avoid the rain, parents are driving their kids to school today ' and they're going to be late. It adds to the congestion and tension. Everyone's in a hurry but they're going nowhere fast.</

22/03/2016

Maximising productivity is paramount for any operator of expensive vehicles or plant. So when Hampshire-based R&W Civil Engineering found that it had to send road gully cleaning lorries on a daily 180-mile round trip to discharge at an accredited facility, it clearly had to find an alternative solution, reports LAPV.

22/03/2016

Consternation and uncertainty are the hallmarks of the EU Procurement rules as far as suppliers and buyers in municipal fleet management sector are soncerned, writes Phil Williams, director at specialist consultancy Procurement Partners

22/03/2016

It's an exciting time at Johnston Sweepers: apart from the launch of new products, the company has undergone a major reorganisation, with its Swiss parent company Bucher Industries bringing its three sweeper divisions under one roof, reports Jemma Dempsey.

15/03/2016

Civil engineering excavation company Alf Kitching has bought a Bell Equipment articulated dump truck (ADT) to help meet the demands of an increasing workload.

02/12/2015

No two local authorities are the same. Even neighbouring councils can operate their fleets in vastly different ways and are influenced by their budget, policy towards outsourcing and the type of vehicles they operate, writes Suzanne Phillips, national fleet consultant at Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions.

18/11/2015

Richard Taylor, sales and marketing director for Dennis Eagle shares his views in this Q&A on how he sees the RCV market developing over the next year.Questions by Tony Richards.

18/11/2015

Fleet managers in local authorities in the UK are having to become more efficient so that they can do more jobs with less equipment. Multi-functional vehicles are consequently more popular than ever. However, with more work being squeezed out of the kit, this puts a greater onus on quality. German manufacturer Max Holder is entering the uk market and aims to deliver a new benchmark in multi-use vehicles, writes Ann-Marie Knegt.

18/11/2015

PREVIEW OF LAPV DECEMBER:After the introduction of the Euro VI legislation, compact sweepers were declassified as specialist off-road vehicles. This has opened up the market and given councils greater choice because the off-road Stage IIIb engine does not require an expensive exhaust emissions system and is consequently cheaper. So does this compromise the environment? Jemma Dempsey reports.

20/02/2014

More than half of truck drivers in Europe have problems with back, neck and shoulder pain, according to a study by Volvo Trucks. New Volvo Dynamic Steering makes it possible to control a truck with minimal effort ' and reduces the risk of injury for the driver.

30/05/2013

Local authorities are now capable of ‘cleaning up' in the cost reduction stakes when it comes to road sweepings and gulley waste by not just focusing on the cost effective machinery used to collect that material, but by looking at the bigger and more sustainable picture of recycling that material into a high value product, writes Mark Jennings Projects Manager for recycling firm CDEnviro.

03/12/2012

After three years of reviewing customer feedback and re-examining every component of the truck-mounted range, Johnston Sweepers has now launched its new intelligent sweeping evolution, the V Range, writes Ann-Marie Knegt.

15/10/2012

27th September saw a Staffordshire charity's community transport service receive a boost with a new custom-built minibus from conversion and mobility specialists Stanford Coachworks.

26/09/2012

Fleets need to create internal electric vehicle “knowledge centres” to aid drivers to understand their benefits and limitations, suggests an in-depth pilot study by Alphabet.

02/07/2012

Adur and Worthing Borough Councils have pooled resources to make waste and street-scene more efficient and more customer responsive.

11/04/2012

Local authorities are in the front line when pressure mounts on available budgets and resources. Not only do they have to be seen to be constantly improving services, but they have less cash to do so, writes Mark Hopkins of Mercedes-Benz Unimog UK.

11/04/2012

“Good reputation, a versatile product, and excellent customer support,” is how Paul Knibbs, National Sales Manager for PFB Self Drive plc, describes the basis of his decision to order eight ‘Gamma' bin-lifters from Zoeller Waste Systems for the latest additions to his fleet of refuse collection vehicles.

11/04/2012

In every issue a top spokesperson from within the industry or a Local Authority voices his opinion on issues that concern their field of work. LAPV invited Roger Taylor from Volvo Construction to comment on the infrastructure at waste processing facilities.

05/04/2012

Daisy Foster considers changes to the Working at Height regulations which have ensured that employers are now legally compelled to provide full training for any workers who use powered access equipment.

05/04/2012

Daisy Foster presents a pick of the best at the upcoming IOG Saltex exhibition, held at Windsor Racecourse from September 4th until the 6th of September.

05/04/2012

Many people will know Bunce Ashbury from its range of Epoke winter maintenance equipment. Few, however, will know the company also distributes several ranges of high quality grounds care equipment which will be on show at SALTEX. LAPV talks to Andrew Bunce.

05/04/2012

Alan MacLachlan takes a look at some of the upsand- downs of special purpose vehicle procurement with a little help from a well-known expert…

05/04/2012

Hydraulic breaker from Bobcat

05/04/2012

LAs dealing with construction sites find that there is a greater need than ever to recycle building waste as close as possible to where the aggregate was originally created, due to the increasing severity of regulations, reports Marcus Clay.

04/04/2012

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council has chosen a Faun Variopress on a Mercedes Benz Econic chassis as a fleet of 13 replacement vehicles for 2007. The Council's fleet exists of over 50 refuse collection vehicles covering 141 square miles collecting the waste and recyclables from 200,000 domestic properties.

04/04/2012

AEBI and Schmidt Groups announced that both companies would merge in order to give rise to a new consortium on the world market.

04/04/2012

It's show season again. Everyone comes out of their offices and heads off to places such as the Commercial Vehicle Show, CIWM and Saltex to see the latest developments in vehicle and grounds equipment technology.

04/04/2012

Amongst the wealth of new products launched at the Commercial Vehicle show back in April, UK Tail Lift specialists Ratcliff Palfinger also launched new training courses for end-users.

04/04/2012

The possible tagging of refuse bins with the view to introducing 'charge-by-weight' schemes in the long term is generating much a discussion. There are several companies who offer these systems, including Red Forge Ltd, based in Redditch.

04/04/2012

Qi Van Systems, the Midlands based vehicle racking and storage specialist has relaunched its G2000 Ladder Rack unit with improved specification and a lower price with a view to aiding health & safety.

04/04/2012

Tevo designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of invehicle storage and workshop systems for mobile operations.

02/04/2012

LAPV looks at some prime examples of access platforms, maintenance platforms and HGV tail lifts.

02/04/2012

In every issue a top spokesperson from within the industry or a Local Authority voices his opinion on issues that concern LA work. LAPV invited David Timms, marketing manager for Britax PMG, to comment on the importance of safe electrical equipment in vehicles.

02/04/2012

Waste and resource management officials from all over the UK and Ireland will be heading for the sunny shores of Paignton again, to visit the CIWM conference and exhibition from the 12th -15th June, 2007.

02/04/2012

Why does a company with three ranges of luxury 4X4s worry about making its farmers' hack into a luxury 4X4? “It's like dressing your granny in fishnets!” says David Stokes.

02/04/2012

Fleet managers in enlightened councils are ‘going green', but must weigh up conflicting opinion from informed circles when trying to pick the best fuels for the purpose, reports Mike Gerber

02/04/2012

A road sweeper is always a welcome sight in one's neighbourhood and driving one is - undeservedly - one of society's less respected jobs. An hour trying to get to grips with one of Johnston's smaller sweepers showed me that they are not an easily operated piece of plant - reports David Stokes.

02/04/2012

Can JCB create a new local authority market in the UK with its Mini CX? The firm reckons so, Geoff Ashcroft reports.

30/03/2012

Looking for a safe and comfortable means of transporting the workforce? Then put a seven-seat Iveco Daily 35C12D crew cab tipper on your shortlist, writes Geoff Ashcroft.

30/03/2012

LAPV's Aidan Turnbull takes a close look at a few of the top companies and their products appearing at this year's IOG SALTEX show - the largest grounds-care event in Europe - held at the Windsor Racecourse, Berkshire.

30/03/2012

What was once a case of dumping sand on the road is now a high-tech business. Ann-Marie Knegt reports on the latest winter maintenance vehicle technology.

30/03/2012

Honda's Accord is a big car and in estate form or tourer is suitable for local authority usage, explains David Stokes.

30/03/2012

If there is one common theme in the world of local authority grass cutters it's variety, from the smooth fairway of the local municipal golf course and those tricky roadside verges to the wilderness of local authority waste ground, reports Alison Campbell.

30/03/2012

Funnily enough, winter maintenance in the UK remains a ‘hot' issue, reports Ann-Marie Knegt. Unlike several of our continental counterparts we can never count on long cold winters - but when the cold strikes the grit hits the fan!

30/03/2012

Fuel theft is an almighty headache for council fleet managers, but how prevalent a crime it is nationally across the haulage sector is probably impossible to pin down. LAPV knows because we've tried, laments Mike Gerber

30/03/2012

Whether you're running and maintaining a fleet of just road vehicles or a combination of vehicles, plant and equipment, new fleet software is now available to help improve efficiency, explains George Webb

30/03/2012

Relatively new technology like this includes: vehicle inventory management systems, vehicle servicing scheduling systems, scheduling VI systems for the inspection & testing for commercial vehicles and fuel usage and control.

30/03/2012

Westshield, the civil engineering and building contractor for several Highway Authorities, has begun using a sophisticated vehicle telematics service from Masternaut that gives up-to-the-minute information on the location of its vehicles via the web. “The Masternaut system is designed to reduce thefts, cut insurance costs and boost productivity ' it allows Westshield to monitor the movements of hundreds of vehicles and items of plant,” comments Robert Peel, spokesperson for Masternaut.

30/03/2012

Cenex Project Development Manager Andrew Whittles previously worked in Local Government and brought with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise, thus forging strong working relationships between Cenex and several local authorities in the UK.

01/03/2012

The CIWM Annual Conference & Exhibition is the world's largest annual event dedicated to waste management. The Exhibition is the established showcase for the waste management industry, attracting over 370 companies from the UK and overseas.

24/02/2012

Our regular vehicle correspondent David Stokes recently roadtested the new Citroen C2 - ‘a wonderful and award-winning van'. Here is his report.

24/02/2012

There seems to be no let up in the continued popularity of mini excavators and site dumpers. Used individually or as a matched pair, such equipment has become an essential and practical tool for anyone that would have previously reached for the wheelbarrow and spade.

24/02/2012

Substantial funding to local authorities from ‘The National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund', via DEFRA, has enabled the introduction of extensive recycling regimes without financially crippling the local authorities concerned, reports Alan MacLachlan.

23/02/2012

Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility, and is something that is an integral part of the culture of one of the most well-established and well-respected rental companies in the UK.

17/02/2012

ABRO Fleet Services, formerly the Army Base Repair Organisation, became a trading company in its own right in April 2002 and since then has been targeting public sector customers with a range of services based on its core competences, fleet maintenance.

17/02/2012

The introduction of the wheelie bin over the traditional noisy metal dustbin or the later easily torn black plastic bag by cats, dogs and foxes was a definite advance. David Stokes explains what it's all about.

17/02/2012

Not only does it save amazing amounts of money but the accolade - ‘leading the way forward towards excellence in waste management' - was recently bestowed on Colchester by no less a body than the Audit Commission. With these kinds of plaudits you really do begin to wonder what's going on here?</

16/02/2012

At the request of Darren Martin, Fleet manager at Powys Council, Stocks Sweepers has developed an all new leaf blower system to deal with the Council's serious leaf removal problem, called Tempest.

16/02/2012

Johnston Sweepers recently launched a brand new range of sweepers at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool. Clients and distributors of the company came from all over Britain and Europe to see the new C201 range in action, and the new compact sweeper didn't disappoint, reports Ann-Marie Knegt.

15/02/2012

The appearance of Isuzu Truck's managing director Nikki King on the Channel 4 ‘Undercover Boss' programme coincided with Somerset company Walton Civil Engineering reviewing its new vehicle acquisition policy.

10/02/2012

By using a JCB Teletruk telescopic lift truck instead of a traditional counterbalance forklift, specialist recycler WasteCare is saving 40 minutes on unloading each trailer at its Leeds headquarters, and this has resulted in a substantial increase in site capacity.

10/02/2012

Bobcats are adaptable creatures at home in widely diverse and challenging habitats. So if you're going to name your company after them, and you're in the business of producing compact mobile equipment for construction, landscaping, agriculture, grounds maintenance, utility, industrial and mining applications, your kit has got plenty to live up to, writes Mike Gerber.

10/02/2012

North Ayrshire Council has purchased a fleet of seven new eco-friendly vans, making it the proud owner of the largest hybrid van fleet in Scotland. The Council has purchased the award-winning Hybrid Transit vans from Ashwoods Automotive.

10/02/2012

Myles Barker,Technical Specialist for Cenex, looks at some of the findings from the involvement in, Government-funded trials,such as the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (LCVPP) and Plugged-in Places (PiP) Scheme.

10/02/2012

Effective stock control has never been so important given the challenges businesses face in the current economic climate. To help make the most efficient use of product, time and machinery, RDS Technology is launching its Loadmaster iX range of on-board weighing systems for medium to large wheeled loaders.

10/02/2012

Investment in capital equipment such as a weighbridge system is tough in the current economic climate. Chris McAllister, product manager at Avery Weigh-Tronix, outlines some alternative financial options.

09/02/2012

Generally, the way to maximise efficiency is to invest in new technology and equipment. In the case of the wide range of services provided by local authorities, this often translates into regular renewal of vehicle fleets. But Government cutbacks are resulting in changes to traditional working practices, writes Tony Richards.

09/02/2012

Croatian manufacturer, Rasco has appointed Pelican Engineering as sales and servicing partner for England, Scotland and Wales. Ivan Fanicevic, CEO of Rasco, points out that with a top manufacturing facility and an established dealer network, winter maintenance equipment need not cost the earth.

09/02/2012

Geesinknorba has developed a system that handles different combinations of bins and RFID chips and weighs very accurately without pausing the lifting cycle down. The company believes it has set a new technological benchmark,which will have universal appeal.

09/02/2012

Sporting a patented non-slip design with both shock & vibration dampening, RAM Mount is proving to be an essential system for any mobile electronics application.

09/02/2012

What steps can operators of commercial vehicles take to protect their investment and manage their costs? Stephen Ellis, Head of Training for thre Road Haulage Association, points out that driver training can deliver great savings in any operation.

09/02/2012

NTM's Hybrid KGLS-2B is a specialist recycling vehicle that collects two fractions of waste at once, and it is heading to our shores to make its debut at RWM in Birmingham.

08/02/2012

The Vredo Turf Fix will renovate diverse fine turf surfaces from bowling greens to less accessible areas such as around bunkers, water features, bridges, gardens or even war graves, all to professional sports pitch standards. The 0.85m width lightweight unit only requires a low hp output for power and is designed to be hitched onto/towed by a professional grass mower. The Vredo double disc system is still a feature of the Turf Fix.

08/02/2012

Fulfilling grass cutting requirements in the extensive parks and open spaces of two Yorkshire cities while working to increasingly tight operating budgets, is the challenge for their respective local authorities and contractors. In both Sheffield and Bradford, John Deere's new 8400 Commercial triple reel mower is shouldering the workload ' and has proved highly successful.

06/02/2012

LAPV decided to make several little'and big'boys very happy. Joshua Malone (3) was treated by NTM-GB and Wiltshire Council to a ride in a brand new RCV. Mercedes-Benz Unimog presented Jose Sanchez de Muniain (5) with a limited edition Unimog U400 from Technical Lego.

03/02/2012

Paul Stanley's grounds maintenance team at Havant Borough Council traditionally used panel vans with 16ft trailers to transport mowers to and from site. Paul recognised that the vans weren't used to their optimum. So he approached KFS Special vehicles, and together they came up with a solution that delivered tangible efficiency savings, reports Ann-Marie Knegt.

03/02/2012

An increasing number of local authorities are choosing to use a remanufactured refuse fleet, because a remanufactured vehicle can cost as little as 20% of the price of a new RCV, and has the same same operational life time.

03/02/2012

This year's RWM ' held at the NEC in Birmingham ' saw the launch of an unusual new vehicle that is set to revolutionise recycling practice in the UK and Ireland, writes Ann-Marie Knegt.

02/02/2012

Cambridgeshire County Council recently opened a new guided Busway which has been designed to relieve congestion problems. However, the dedicated winter maintenance equipment was too large to effectively treat the adjacent track. A solution was found in a multifunctional vehicle that can operate all year round.

02/02/2012

There's a lot more to cutting fleet costs than simply checking fuel consumption. Preventing accidents and reducing service and maintenance costs also play a big role. One solution is to make drivers aware of their own prowess behind the wheel. A new system that relays accountibility about driving behaviour directly on to the person behind the wheel is now set to hit the UK.

19/01/2012

Dennis Eagle traditionally used to send its newly built RCVs from its manufacturing facility in Warwick to the paintshop in Aldridge near Birmingham. This meant the vehicles had to be driven there to be painted, and then be driven back to Warwick.

19/01/2012

When it comes to truck and bus maintenance, system compatibility is the key to any purchase of diagnostic equipment and the Jaltest system puts comprehensive on-board diagnostic systems coverage ' across an extensive range of vehicles ' into the hands of every truck and bus mechanic.

19/01/2012

Ann-Marie Knegt travelled up to Warwick to visit Dennis Eagle's manufacturing facility,where Norman Thoday (MD) revealed his views on the current state of the industry and how increased efficiency pressures will shape RCV design.

12/01/2012

Midlothian and Renfrewshire Council are now operating three new Aebi Schmidt SK600 sweepers,which are ideally suited for long distance performance on the roads of the Scottish Highlands.

12/01/2012

Louise Woodward, Programme Administrative Officer for Cenex, comments on the roll-out of a national charging infrastructure for electric and hybrid vehicles.

10/01/2012

In today's era of landfill charges and LATs reporting, the weighbridge is at the heart of a waste organisation's data collection. Downtime can bring an operation to a halt - with direct repercussions for both cash flow and adherence to legislation - making an effective preventative maintenance programme vital, says John Coughlan of Avery Weigh-Tronix.

09/01/2012

Vehicle outsourcing can help LAs focus on core services, writes David Hunt, Managing Director, Ryder Ltd.

09/01/2012

David Wilford of No Going Back Productions, a specialist in noise measurement for waste collection and recycling services, discusses noise risks for recycling operatives, and how to overcome these.

09/01/2012

Harrow Council's new waste and recycling service is used as a benchmark by other Local Authorities. It has won a number of awards and is set to deliver £3.2m in savings over the next 10 years. However none of this would have been possible without its high quality source of addressing, Harrow's Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG).

09/01/2012

Ann-Marie Knegt visited Widnes to speak to Sid Sadique and Russell Markstein from Riverside Truck Rental,who believe that applying business models from private industry to Local Authority fleet management is the only sensible way forward. However, in order to succeed, major culture change is required.

09/01/2012

Clare Summers points out that using efficient lighting and beacon systems can actually reduce downtime on waste management and street cleansing vehicles.

06/01/2012

Louise Murphy visited several Swedish waste operators to see how they turn their waste into a valuable resource. NTM's Quatro system makes ipossible to recycle a staggering 90% of all materials, with only 10% being sent to the incinerator.This vehicle is now also available in the UK.

06/01/2012

Lucy Phillips of TRL reports on IRWIN, a project which aims to use an improved local winter index to assess present and future needs for winter maintenance.

05/01/2012

The tools and equipment carried in the rear of any local authority maintenance vehicle should be properly secured and organised, both for health and safety reasons but also for greater operational efficiency, explains Kevin Woodward, managing director of the Vehicle Enhancement Division of Bott.

05/01/2012

Rising costs, shrinking budgets and the pressure for constant improvement in quality and service makes it a tough time to run a fleet. But it's not all doom and gloom says Simon Cassidy, Sales Director of Xcess-A-Bus.

05/01/2012

Rugged in-vehicle computers with built-in telematics from Mobexx are powering Waste Collector from Bartec Systems. This efficiency-boosting system is used by local authorities throughout the UK to provide a direct real-time link between waste collection / street scene crews and their offices via the in-cab Mentor Ranger PC.

05/01/2012

Both local authorities and their stakeholders can benefit from significant service improvements when telematics are installed including more efficient use of resources and instant access to real-time information.

05/01/2012

At times of budget restraint and shifting highways authority priorities just how important is it to maintain and control roadside verges? In Cumbria it is considered not just a safety matter, but an integral element in the policy to increase tourism and help the economy, writes Tony Richards.

05/01/2012

In these times of budgetary pressures local authorities are looking at all options to save costs, and the opportunity to dispose of defleeted vehicles and plant for a reduced outlay is obviously going to be attractive. Or is it, best practice is about achieving the highest net value for the asset, which means looking at not only the costs of remarketing but also at the prices achieved from the sale.

05/01/2012

SFS managing director, Bob Sweetland, provides some insight into the question of buy or hire. He says the private and public sectors can work together to continue to deliver efficient, high quality front-line services despite diminishing budgets.

05/01/2012

Fuel is the most significant on cost for alltransport operators. As the business grows,so does the fuel bill and its potential toimpact on profitability.If there is space for a storage tank on thepremises, then there will be a case forpurchasing bulk supplies, comments Stephen Hannan from Merridale.• Y

05/01/2012

Rob Kerridge of Sector Treasury Services explains how new accounting treatment of leasing and hire arrangements may point the way to more cost effective ways of structuring these contracts.

05/01/2012

Julian Athawes, MD of Halomec, introduces a new integrated weighing and inventory reporting system for salt loading, that could give councils an extra edge in planning and managing their winter service.

05/01/2012

Norman Thoday, Dennis Eagle's MD, explains the background to the new strategic alliance with BAE Systems which has been set up to develop hybrid technology and bring to market a serious alternative for his customers.

03/01/2012

Cumbria Waste Management Ltd has taken delivery of the first Volvo L110G to be sold in Great Britain as part of a significant investment which includes the completion of their brand new materials recycling facility on the outskirts of Workington.

03/01/2012

This year's RWM ' held at the NEC in Birmingham ' saw the launch of an unusual new vehicle that is set to revolutionise recycling practice in the UK and Ireland, writes Ann-Marie Knegt.

03/01/2012

Paul Stanley's grounds maintenance team at Havant Borough Council traditionally used panel vans with 16ft trailers to transport mowers to and from site. Paul recognised that the vans weren't used to their optimum. So he approached KFS Special vehicles, and together they came up with a solution that delivered tangible efficiency savings, reports Ann-Marie Knegt.

03/01/2012

Since its inception in 1979, Scarab Sweepers has been through considerable changes. So what can we expect now that the French family- owned Fayat Group is taking a majority shareholding in the Kent-based sweeper manufacturer?