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VOSA weighs on the way
Page 12
Page 14
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VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT officers could soon be using a network of road sensors rather than spot checks to detect overloading.
The Vehicle & Operator Services Agency installed its first Weighing in Motion System (WIMS) at the port of Portsmouth in February.
To date only two more ports are earmarked for WIMS by VOSA, but it says these devices are already being used by the Highways Agency to monitor traffic flows.
Alan Campbell, VOSA road worthiness policy manager, says: "The idea is that if we can have some ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) kit which is fairly portable we can plug into the Highways Agency WIMS.
"That would allow us to move the kit around if there was a fairly low incidence of overloading in any one area."
Campbell adds that a WIMS is not accurate enough to provide evidence for prosecution but it can highlight which operators merit further attention.
He estimates that around a dozen WIMS will be used to detect overloading at any one time— the Highways Agency says most of its WIMS are based in the Midlands and the West Country. RHA initiates specialist rescue group
THE ROAD HAULAGE Association has moved into new territory with the formation of the Rescue and Recovery Specialist Group.
Some 60 companies have already joined up ahead of the group's formal launch during next week's second European Tow Show at Donington Park from Thursday to Saturday, 24-26 June. As well as the static exhibition
with more than 50 stands the show will feature displays of historic and working vehicles, recovery demonstrations, a used vehicle sales area and family entertainments.
On the Friday afternoon a business seminar will be held in the Donington Museum. As well as the RHA launch there will be presentations by the Highways Agency and insurance experts. • Contact: www.towshow.co.uk VOSA issues cabotage warning
VOSA warns a flagged out firm that it might be breaking the cabotage regulations. Jennifer Ball reports.
A CONTROVERSIAL Scottish operator has again become the target of the authorities amid concerns that it is flouting the cabotage rules.
In June 2001 Kilsyth Transport had its licence revoked for hours and tachograph offences, and for employing drivers who were claiming benefits.
Director George Brady was also banned from holding or obtaining a UK 0-licence for five years.
The firm then opened up Kilsyth Transport BY in Venlo, Holland. They also run Kilsyth Transport Services, which describes itself as "a road haulage company based in Scotland", although it appears its fleet is Dutch registered. However, in a recent letter to
Kilsyth Transport the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency warns that while foreign firms can carry out temporary cabotage operations in the UK, they can only do so for a month before heading home.
"It would appear that you may need to change your current operation in order to comply with this guidance. VOSA will therefore allow you a period of 12 weeks to make necessary changes," the letter continues. "We will then reinvestigate your operation to check that it fully complies with these regulations and any contraventions will be reported to the licensing authorities in your "We will then reinvestigate your operation to check that it fully complies with these regulations and any contraventions will be reported to the licensing authorities in your
home member state for them to take action." A VOSA spokeswoman says: "We investigate any possible inci
dents of people operating outside the regulations that are brought to our attention."
Kilsyth declined to comment.