IOC News flash

Secretary of State for Transport briefing at the IOD June 18th

Sec of State Patrick Mcloughlin stood before the IOD in London at Pall Mall.

We need to improve transport infrastructure. Electrification of cars is very important, training is key, Eighty per cent of roads will be resurfaced with twenty four billion pounds of funding.

Institute of Couriers chairman Carl Lomas was on hand to take some notes.

Not my first time in the department, 25 years ago I was aviation & shipping minister under Margaret Thatcher.  Today a Highway agency five year plan is on the agenda.

The Secretary of states speech extracts. 'We need to invest in industry-Britain has an entrepreneurial spirit- we need a competitive environment-We need to improve transport infrastructure-twenty four billion pounds will see eighty per cent of roads resurfaced-Air pollution, Electrification of cars is very important for the cities. Night deliveries were freed up for the Olympics in London. Training is key to transport'

'There are more passengers on rail than ever before - HS2 is about capacity, from 25 to 45 trains a day to Manchester. I have considered a super hub at Crewe. After London, Birmingham New street is the UK's next busiest station and we are investing in it. HS2 will  move more freight - I am an optimist, we want to provide infrastructure you need.'

'Cross rail is on time and on budget. Because its underground you don't see it but it will open in 2018. Eighty per cent of the Cross rail suppliers are UK companies.'

Questions from IOC fellow Robert Massey and Tracey Worth covered the electric vehicles, road space and the Olympics night freight delivery.

IOC fellow Robert Massey in question time with Patrick Mcloughlin

Congestion Charge changes to improve customer service

• Charge will increase for the first time since 2011, from £10 to £11.50 from 6 June 2014.
• CC Auto Pay and fleet customers to continue to benefit from a £1 reduction and pay £10.50 per day
• Customer improvements will be introduced in late 2015, including Direct Debit payments, online discounts, and easier NHS reimbursement

Last week we confirmed a number of changes to the scheme designed to maintain its effectiveness at managing congestion and to improve customer service. The increase will ensure the charge remains a relative deterrent to all but the most essential journeys into the centre of London, contributing an income of £82.7m over the course of the next five years, which will be re-invested into London's transport network - including modernising London's roads infrastructure.

The change, which follows a public consultation that took place earlier this year, will see the daily Congestion Charge price increased, for the first time since 2011, from £10 to £11.50 (or £10.50 if paid using CC Auto Pay or £14 if paid the next charging day).

The change will come into effect on 16 June 2014. For more information, visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge/changes-to-the-congestion-charge

Logistics National training provider showcase at Bibby Worcester DC

James Billingham , welcomed logistics and transport training providers from across the four nations, to host the AELP logistics group at the Bibby Distribution centre in Worcester. It was full house, packed to capacity, standing room only, the new trailblazer apprenticeship and the undergraduate degree at London Met Univeristy.

Carl Lomas Institute of Couriers for the apprenticeship trailblazer

Phase three launch target for logistics and courier in Aug, focused on the unique growth in internet shopping delivery to both office and home, ( in the wake of last week's announcements DPD and Royal mail Post Office to start Sunday parcel delivery) Lomas talked about challenge, new skill needs and enhancement of technology for the growing niche in the sector as retail shift moves from high street to courier delivery. Groups for NOS and the Trailblazer had sat in the previous few days in both London and Manchester, they were employer strong , the trailblazer chair is Justin Moore, director at Citysprint.

Professor Tracey Worth, London Met Univ

First ever logistics & freight transport undergraduate degree launch is set, employer groups have built the unit design, City Link, UK mail, TNT and CitySprint amongst the big players, Bibby who's DC we are in today are on the employer groups that even include the military BFPO postal services. The guild master of the Carmen was on the last committee bringing a true employer depth to an industry developed new degree with vocational work focus around the new qualification. Private training providers could access modules for delivery.

RHA Road Haulage Association annual lunch, London West End.

No Scania, Volvo or MAN parked in Piccadilly but the London west end was awash with truck for a full house lunch of the Road Haulage Association.

Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury was the guest speaker. The Chief Sec was celebrating his 42nd birthday, 4 years to the week of coalition government, his own seat some 500 miles north, on the journey home he would pass thousands of goods vehicles.

I thank transport for the work you do, the treasury and I have worked closely with Geoff Dunning and the RHA team  on fuel duty, we are making progress. Levy on the foreign trucks is best step, when traffic slows down govt needs to be told. I am keen to challenge for green issues, climate change is a big govt issue, I understand electric is not a solution for heavy vehicles but we need fuel efficiency to be at its best. We want to give match funding to fuel efficiency technology development.

Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP Chief Sec of the Treasury speaks with RHA National Chairman Peter Barber in the front.

RHA National Chair Peter Barber, a nine and half minute comfort break then Peter took stage,

We have an excellent network of members, RHA is very active, I particularly want to thank two retiring board members this year, Val Smith & Willy Oliver. Fairfuel Uk is our platform to George Osborne. The CV show was the biggest since 2007. Sustainable rates and prompt payment are the key industry issues this year. Geoff Dunning is formally retiring, it has been 5 great years.

A huge ovation of applause supported Geoff, his wife Sue took stage for a giant  bouquet of flowers, Peter explained contract did not permit him to name Geoffs successor but news would be soon.

The RHA National lunch was full of motivation and well attended, lasagne and double chips succumbed to duck, talk of peters comments 'Sustainable rates and prompt payment rattled around the tables' Rugby star Martin Bayfield finished the afternoon with trucks in stiches of laughter from escapades of Lions tours and calls for policemen.

Home delivery revolution steps up another gear

The move from high street shopping to home delivery gets easier and quicker by the week.

Last week French post office DPD announce they are to begin Sunday home delivery, this week Rico, who recently purchased DHL same day arm announced they are doing evening deliveries.

Rico Logistics launch an evening delivery service

Rico Logistics has launched an evening delivery service - e-Sameday - which can allow parcels to be delivered within eight hours of being ordered.

Rico, which is part of the TVS Group, acquired DHL's UK Same Day courier business at the end of last year. It is making the retail industry a specific focus. The e-Sameday service is available seven days a week.

Martin Cheesman, sales and marketing director said,

The changing and difficult times UK retailers have faced has forced many of them to innovate and pay even closer attention to what the online shopper wants. By offering convenient and varied delivery options retailers can further differentiate themselves from their competitors. In a time poor world an evening delivery service makes perfect sense.

Diary dates

    20th / 21st May NOS Apprenticeship trailblazer workshops

    4th &5th June Logistics Link trade show NEC

    16th July Cartmarking transport ceremony at Guildhall

    30th September National Courier Awards at IOD Pall Mall London

What makes the perfect Sunday?

DPD already strong with their named van driver, one hour window of advised delivery are set to go seven out of seven. DPD  launched their seventh day of the week, Sunday delivery advert and set a date to begin as July 20 th . This will be an industry first, The DPD nationwide Sunday Service is set to begin on 20 July, DPD claim they will reach over 98% of the UK population. DPD's delivery operation will run between 9am and 5pm on Sundays, with their network of 50 nationwide depots also being open during these times. Anyone who receives a delivery from DPD on Sunday will receive a one hour delivery window, along with the ability to reschedule both the night before and the day of delivery using our in-flight options. Customers can also track their delivery driver using a real-time map, and we'll even provide a 15 minute timeslot, so you know exactly when we're coming.

CEO Dwain McDonald said:

We know from talking to retailers and recipients that there is a real demand for Sunday deliveries. The majority of our larger customers in the retail sector are moving to a 24/7 operation, so we wanted to make sure that they have a trusted delivery partner that can provide a full collection and delivery service every day of the week too.

IOC at Multimodal and the Commercial Vehicle CV show for a week of roads and transport showcase.

The CV show was more van than truck, manufacturers competing for the most shiny van grill, real wins went for the PDA and ipad holders, home delivery simplicity as your tech kit just slots in. D ays of truckers only at the CV show are long gone as the Transit, Vauxhall, Renault and Fiat fight it out for a slice of the growing whit e van market. A good cross section of showcase from trackers, sat nav to tyres and trainers . Management software to route planning, every conceivable stack and rack solution for your light van, then the workshop area for LED replacement lights to diesel filter deals. Cycle safety showcase package variations from camera to sensor, David Higginbottom on site with Driver First Assist, DFA road safety. There was much talk of green, Goupil in the frame with their hybrid petrol electric mini va n , Mega had their electric only seventy five miler and a good run of customer vehicles were plugged in. Finance packages and load space were plastered down the vehicles in a business like manner. IOC Tracey Worth could not resist the footballers autographs.

Institute of Couriers tour Multimodal at the NEC for 2014  

Logisticians enjoyed Royalty and race cars in the April sunshine of the NEC while Lincoln University focused logistics learning.

Unique to 2014, Multimodal lies alongside the Commercial Vehicle CV Show, two free shows for the price of a ten quid car parking space in downtown middle England, heart of logistics land.

It was race cars and vans as Renault lined up the red Bull F1's next to their new launch large capacity Master van. HRH Anne chose April 30 th of the three day window to drop in and check the latest logistics. CILT sorted a three d chocolate portrait demo while Malcolm Logistics saw HRH Anne unveil a plaque to recognise their fifty foot container launch for the UK.

Briggs showcasing the Yale fork trucks, Maritime attracted a full house with their chipatrip game, DB Shenker had the trains in, DSV, Wincanton, CEVA & Potter all punting their wares for a busy audience. As folk swapped from show to show the isles remained busy from breakfast to dinner. There was no shortage of food as most every stand had tea to toffee, cake and sandwich for sustenance as visitors ate their way around the logistics opportunities. Fresh was out in force to champion their chilled same day courier services. Lincoln University, Tim Collett were offering distance options for their latest masters degree. Multimodal 2014 a great success of busy isles and visitors enjoying showcase of everything logistics.

Full report in the members' area.

Transport Minister launches new logisticians in heart of Peak District.

Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin MP, was amongst the couriers today, to launch the University of Derby, Buxton & Leek College logistics training site.

April 10th, European Supply Chain Day

Transport guests at TfL Palestra in London SE1 met to review all things Freight. Opening with an introduction from Sir Peter Hendy TfL and Fellow of the IoC. The freight Forum continues from the Olympic legacy to provide the freight industry and TfL a platform to consult on all things that affect deliveries.

Ian Wainwright opened the update for TfL. £46 million over a ten year programme is to beplaced as a provision for improvement of signalling and traffic flow. The London Safer Lorry scheme is looking to regulate vehicles into London by 2015 Alternative fuel vehicles to be brought into place by 2020 starting from November 2014

Discussions on out of hour deliveries are continuing with all London Boroughs, Met police continue with the road side checks of all road users including pedestrians. Cycling infrastructure update showed 600,000 cycle trips a day, target to be 1.5 million by 2026. Showcase on superhighway routes, separation of road space such as Embankment & Westminster bridge. The road space separation for cycles was futuristic vision that may not be far away. 21st C roads for 21st C City.

Strong Question and Answer sessions in the presence of Sir Peter formed the most valuable freight session so far. FORS, DCPC, Euro 6 regulations for clean air mixed between retailers, operators and associations such as DSA. IoC Fellow Justin Moore CitySprint talked with Geoff Dunning RHA, Steve Agg CILT and IoC Chairman Carl Lomas as further discussions continued around education of those who work on the road but also those who influence those carrying out a road base job. Changing the way boroughs inform there operatives to carry out the interpretation of the parking and loading laws as well as educating the driver.

Sir Peter Hendy made the closing comments. There's been a lot we have talked to you about this morning and there is still more that we could tell you about. Our PR press for Utilitiy company's to make announcements of road closures has improved traffic flow over the last 12 months. TfL has a lot to say because we want to consult with you about (what) I hope is useful, we would like as many participants to take part in the freight futures with TfL. Tour de France, Tour of Britain road closures will be reopened as soon as possible and that is our intent. Boris Johnson Mayor of London is committed to the cycling campaign and the next mayor elected in 2016 could mean that someone else gets in and all this hard work, we the industry has gained could go up in flames and the alternative could be worse! It's in your interest and ours for you to respond to our enquiries so TfL can help.

News round up of IoC, TfL & ARUP meetings.

IoC attended the TfL ARUP meetings to look at the London roads solution with emphasis on white van delivery, clean air, hybrid solutions, van load space and utilization alongside client awareness of urgency against the value of the carbon footprint.

This week TfL also went inside CitySprint, guests of Justin Moore FIoC and Patrick Gallagher to see London courier traffic control first hand.

The week rounded up with IOC chair Carl Lomas at West Thames college (click here) where MP Mary Macleod took the controls of the Goupil mini city hybrid van that comes in alongside the cost of a transit van for 200 mile range with the help of a 500cc petrol engine that has a great tax deprecation fit.

CitySprint strengthens middle England footprint

CitySprint, UK's largest same day courier company has acquired Birmingham-based Network Logisitics UK.  CitySprint chief executive Patrick Gallagher said: "I am delighted to announce that CitySprint is strengthening our network. With over 2,500 couriers and 37 service centre's across the UK, we look forward to offering Network Logistics UK customers access to our national network and first-class technology." The Birmingham firm was founded by current directors Craig Guthrie, David Costin and Paul Ryder in 2004, Network Logistics provides a courier service in the West Midlands. Its employees will now transfer to CitySprint. Network Executive Chauffeurs Ltd, which was associated with Network Logistics UK, will remain an independent company providing chauffeur-car services.

Network Logistics UK director Craig Guthrie added: "We are delighted to join our services with CitySprint who share our dedication and focus on customer service alongside providing the complete courier transport solution. We'll be working together to ensure that the integration process is seamless."

Future Streets Incubator Fund by Mayor of London.

    The Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) launched a new £1.8 million 'Future Streets Incubator Fund' to help deliver recommendations made by the Mayor's Roads Task Force. The fund aims to create new, greener spaces, boost sustainable transport, test new street layouts and alternative ways that roads and streets can be used. We are looking for creative pilot scheme submissions from local boroughs, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and community groups. More details about the Future Streets Incubator Fund at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/future-streets-incubator-fund

Chiswick Bridge - works update

TfL is set to begin works to strengthen and refurbish Chiswick Bridge. Work will begin in April 2014 and will be completed by Spring 2015. TfL has worked hard to design the works to ensure that the bridge remains open as much as possible. More information, including dates and times of these closures and diversion routes, will be available nearer the time at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/chiswick-bridge?cid=fs123   

Road Freight Bulletin

Advance notice - 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon

    ·           Eastway Tunnel  - closures ·           New Fetter Lane - closures ·           A1211 Bevis Marks - closures ·           Holborn Circus - closures ·           Horseferry Road - closures ·           Cornhill - closures ·           Cambridge Road - closures ·           Croydon - closures ·           Blackwall Tunnel - closures ·           Kings Road - closures ·           Southall - closures ·           West London - delays ·           Eltham Tunnel - closures ·           Oxford Street - closures ·           Kensington Road - closures ·           Upper Richmond Road West - closures ·           Rotherhithe Tunnel - closures ·           Fore Street Tunnel - closures ·           Green Man and George Green Tunnel - closures

 HRH The Princess Royal to visit Multimodal April 28 2014

For the first time ever the two trade shows, CV and Multimodal will be at the NEC Birmingham on the same three days, everything trucks alongside everything logistics.

HRH The Princess Royal will visit Multimodal 2014 on the second day, Wed April 30th and take part in a seminar session focusing on the work of charity Transaid, which supports transport initiatives in developing countries. Princess Anne, who is Patron of Transaid, will attend the exhibition and seminar on the morning of the 30th of April, and will hear from panellists how the European logistics industry is saving lives, whilst boosting staff performance. 'Transaid is delivering more projects in more countries than ever before, and that wouldn't be possible without support from the transport and logistics industry,' said Gary Forster, Chief Executive, Transaid.  'Up to 15 volunteers a year provide technical expertise to our programmes and we are delighted that our corporate supporters value the volunteering opportunities, with many integrating them into their continuing professional development (CPD) programmes.'   The panel session will be chaired by Theo de Pencier, Chief Executive, Freight Transport Association (FTA) who will be joined by Maeve Magner, strategic advisor for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Transaid trustee, Mark Simmons, HR and HSE Director, Norbert Dentressangle Logistics UK, and Gary Forster, Chief Executive, Transaid.