HGVs without safety equipment to be banned from London
Story from FORS
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, Transport for London (TfL) and London Councils have given the go-ahead for a London-wide ban on any lorry not fitted with safety equipment to protect cyclists and pedestrians.
The scheme, which received 90 per cent support via a public consultation, will require vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes to be fitted with sideguards, along with Class V and Class VI mirrors giving the driver a better view of cyclists and pedestrians around their vehicle.
The scheme will commence operation on 1st September 2015, as soon as all of the 600 warning signs are in place. Operators that are FORS accredited based on the revised standards from 9 July will meet this requirement.
All roads in Greater London (except motorways) will be covered by the scheme. It will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will be enforced by the police, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and the joint TfL and DfT-funded Industrial HGV Taskforce (IHTF). The maximum fine for each breach of the ban will be £1,000. The operator will also be referred for consideration to the relevant Traffic Commissioner, who is responsible for the licensing and regulation of HGV operators.
London’s Transport Commissioner, Sir Peter Hendy CBE, said, “The essential role that freight plays in any city is vast, and none more so than London. Equally vital is ensuring that we can all safely use our roads and this is why I am pleased to announce the launch of the country’s first Safer Lorry Scheme. London’s lead in improving the safety and efficiency of freight has once again been demonstrated. The Safer Lorry Scheme is a fantastic example of the benefits of partnership working. The rogue minority of HGVs that operate on our roads without effective basic safety equipment will be forced to improve or be banned. This will save lives and ensure a level playing field for operators.”
TfL has begun a campaign of engagement across the country to ensure operators and drivers are aware of the requirements and begin adopting safety equipment before enforcement starts on 1 September.
For more information on the scheme email freight@tfl.gov.uk