Hazard checks get tougher
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• The introduction of roadside checks of hazardous substances lorries by the Health and Safety Executive is expected later this year.
Junior Transport Minister Peter Bottomley, speaking at a seminar in Middlesbrough last week, said: '`I hope that the proposed changes will be implemented in new regulations later this year.
"The police will retain all necessary powers for dealing with vehicles presenting a danger on the road. There will be improved co-ordination of information so that follow-up action can be taken at the depots with operators and consignors who have offended."
The tougher checks, first forecast several months ago, retain the police powers to stop vehicles on the road where necessary and to deal with accidents.
HSE inspectors will be notified of apparent Health and Safety at Work Act offences by the police and Department of Transport traffic examiners.
Bottomley said: -These regulations will complete our package of controls over the carriage of hazardous substances by road.
Together with the Tanker Regulations and the Classification, Packaging and Labelling Regulations we will at last have a comprehensive framework of regulations."
• Following the opening of another section of the M42 south of Birmingham, the 32km (20 mile) section linking the AS at Tarnworth and the A38 at Lickey End is now complete.
Junior Transport Minister Peter Bottomley opened the 11km stretch between Alvechurch and Lickey End last week. From the A38 is is just 1.5km to the M5.