22newsSoapboxA regular column fromPhil Flanders RHA Regional DirectorScotland and Northern IrelandThe Goods Vehicle Act will soon take over from the Ro<strong>ad</strong> Traffic Act andmirror the GB system very closely. It is a pity it was not done all thoseyears ago when it should have been. It has been talked about for almost15 years although at times it seems it has taken a lot longer. Better latethan never, though. However, it is a bit too late for Noel Zwecker.I was sorry to hear about Noel. I’veknown Noel for many years since Iworked for Eurotunnel and latterly theRHA. I always found him courteous,hard working and honest. He alsotried to operate legally but for variousreasons he found it too tough tocontinue and make a profit!By all accounts a number inthe sector he worked in are stillcutting rates and maybe someneed to apply for charitable statusas well as an O licence!!With fuel increasing as well as ferrycosts, many believe it is only a matterof time before others are forcedout. It has been said that if theenforcement in Northern Ireland h<strong>ad</strong>been more rigorous over the yearsthen those who are trying to complywould be in a better position today.In a way this is confirmed by a recentreport from the Bank of England whichstates that haulage margins are underrenewed and acute pressure. It pickedout the sector as one in which thereremains significant over-capacity.The Bank of England’s regional agents’summary of business conditionspredicts that having alre<strong>ad</strong>y paredback non-labour costs as much aspossible during the recession, manybusinesses will now think they have nooption but to reduce staff numbers. Ican confirm that as we are getting anumber of calls from hauliers who arelooking for help and <strong>ad</strong>vice on how tomanage reducing their he<strong>ad</strong>count!The report also says that smallercompanies are continuing to be waryof approaching banks for financefearing “re-pricing of existing facilities,or requests for increased securityagainst lending, such as personalguarantees”. I cannot argue withthat last statement as we regularlyhear this from hauliers of all sizes.Margins will undoubtedly be evenworse by the time the regularincreases in the price of fuel arefactored in. News that Iran and ‘therest of the world’ are squaring upover Iranian use of nuclear powerhas been gaining a he<strong>ad</strong> of steamover the past couple of months.The effect this has h<strong>ad</strong> on the worldoil markets has been profound. Amonth ago Brent was tr<strong>ad</strong>ing at $108a barrel, at the end of February itwas $121 – what will be by the timeyou re<strong>ad</strong> this is anybodies guess!Diesel has never cost so much andthere is nothing the industry cando about it. This is b<strong>ad</strong> news forcustomers because haulage ratessimply have to keep pace with risingcosts. For a typical articulated lorry,diesel is at least 35% of costs andoften a significantly greater proportion.Inevitably, rising transport costspushes up the price of everything webuy, including food and clothing.There is a clear message forcompanies buying transport - theymust pay a sustainable haulagerate. The need to increase haulagerates is inescapable and needs tobe highlighted to customers.There is a message for the Chancellor,which RHA colleagues have beenpressing again at the Treasury. Theduty on diesel, alre<strong>ad</strong>y the highestin Europe, should be reduced inthe up-coming Budget; and it isinconceivable that the Chancellorshould go ahe<strong>ad</strong> with the 3.02 pencea litre increase planned for August. TheFairfuelUK demonstration and lobbyat Westminster on 7th March wentsomeway to highlighting the problem.Number PlatesIn the past few weeks we have heardthat some hauliers have been issuedwith prohibitions for damaged numberplates, dirty number plates and lights.VOSA are saying that as much of theirwork is now geared to automaticnumber plate re<strong>ad</strong>ers at the side ofthe ro<strong>ad</strong> that all ro<strong>ad</strong> users need tobe aware and keep their numberplates, markers and lights clean. Pleasemake sure your drivers are aware. It isnot a big issue to fix and it may wellsave you save you a lot of grief!!TheftsCumbria Police want to hear fromhauliers who have been targeted bycriminals using an unusual methodfollowing a theft from a truckstopin Penrith. The criminals cut a largeslit into the right side of a curtainsided trailer. After removing thepallets from the trailer the gangsecured the damage to the curtainby using white cable ties.As investigations continue CumbriaPolice are interested to hear fromanyone else who has encounteredsimilar thefts where the offendershave secured the trailer curtainafter the theft. If you haven’tbeen targeted yet be aware!Lucian Igras‘Welcome To My Cab’Do YOU have a cab worthy of being ‘shared’ with other drivers? Volvo Trucks’ online video series‘Welcome to my Cab,’ for example, alre<strong>ad</strong>y invites viewers into the cabs of truck drivers from around theworld; the latest episode focuses on Polish truck driver Lucian Igras and his ‘Black Pearl’.While watching ‘Pirates of theCaribbean’, Lucian was inspired todecorate his Volvo FH12-460 withimages and themes from the film.Now when he drives, he feels like acaptain of his own personal ship.”My goal is to deliver thecargo,” he jokes, while pointingto the treasure map printed onthe truck’s upholstery. ”I thinkthat the ideas that were bornin my crazy he<strong>ad</strong>, reflect whathas been gathered here.”Initially residents in Lucian’s hometown didn’t know how to react tohis creation, but when the ‘BlackPearl’ started attracted publicityfrom far and wide, there was soongrowing pride in the town’s newicon. Now that the ‘Black Pearl’has been chosen to feature in thelatest episode of ‘Welcome to mycab’, Lucian is delighted. “I’m reallygl<strong>ad</strong> that I’ve been chosen, andI’m happy to be presented amongother drivers who drive Volvo.”The video about Lucian Igras isavailable on YouTube and soonit will also be available on VolvoTrucks’ online magazine and onthe company’s tablet magazine.If YOU feel your cab is worthy ofbeing featured in future issuesof <strong>Export</strong> & <strong>Freight</strong>, we wantto hear from you. Drop us anemail at David@4squaremedia.net or telephone GarfieldHarrison on 02892 68 8888.Lucian’s ‘Black Pearl’The interior of the ‘Black Pearl’News pgs.<strong>indd</strong> 22 19/03/2012 16:33
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