• The haulage industry is being knocked hard again. It has just been denied the chance to run 40-tonne GVW trucks until the end...

• Vauxhall and Bedford dealers are to set up MasterFit outlets for light CVs and cars, offering quick, fixed-price replacement...

• Hauliers are being hit hard by the unofficial dock strike, with loads being diverted away from ports covered by the National...

• The principle of using controversial weigh-in-motion equipment in the fight against over-laden lorries has been approved by...

• BRS Northern has won a five-year £2 millon contract hire deal with UPVC manufacturer the Spectus Group. BRS's Thameside...

• Seddon Atkinson plans to shed about 10% of its workforce — about 70 jobs. "Although we returned a profit in 1988, the first...

• Police in London have started to enforce the Lorry Ban for the first time since it was introduced in February 1986. On...

• The Government has rejected calls from Charles Kennedy MP for action against the "unscrupulous use of computer services by...

• The North Eastern district of the Road Haulage Association has asked the Humber Bridge Board to clarify its position on...

• Exel Logistics Temperature Controlled Services has won a 2150,000 a year contract for the collection, storage and...

• Air freight hauliers and freight forwarders at London's Heathrow airport have attacked British Airports Authority plans to...

• Job prospects are looking gloomier for the road haulage industry, according to the latest survey from employment company...

• An automatic toll-payment system is on trial at the Dartford Tunnel. Vehicles fitted with special tags drive through an...

• European environment ministers agreed last week to the mandatory fitting of catalytic converters to all new petrol-powered...

• The Vehicle Inspectorate has launched its long-awaited trial scheme, offering brake performance checks before annuals tests...

• There were a number of surprises among Jack Allen (Motor Bodies)'s El. lm display at the Institute of Waste Management...

• A wheel developed by SP Tyres dispenses with the centre well normally required to allow tyre fitting. Instead, the wheel's...

• Kings Lynn-based Colin Carter Haulage has bought a pair of Steyr 19S31 tractors for use on dedicated contracts pulling tilt...

• Perkins Phaser engines are to be assembled in Turkey for installation in a new range of Turkish-built Dodge AS900 Super...

• Volvo Trucks (GB) has produced its own dropframe version of the FL 617 rigid chassis for Whitbread. The conversion is fitted...

• Ryder Distribution Services has won its second homedelivery contract. Under a three-year deal with furniture manufacturer...

• NFC subsidiary Newsflow will enter the magazine distribution field soon, says managing director Doug Cartin. Negotiations...

• Battery specialist Chloride is set to sell its Exide vehicle battery business to Compagnie Generale d'Electricite for £55...

• '['NT Just-in-Time's longawaited three-year, 27m contract to supply the Rover Group's Longbridge car assembly lines with...

• Local authority in-house workforces are winning almost three quarters of all contracts put out to tender under the compulsory...

• David Coe, managing director of parcel and delivery group Interlink Express, has resigned after just six months in the job....

• The general haulage subcontracting business of Tate & Lyle Silver Roadways has been sold to Currie Line, part of Walter...

• As predicted in Commercial Motor, Glc.N has acquired Corby-based Tadchurch, builder of CV rubber suspensions, for £350,000...

• BRS Midlands has won a 220 million contract to run a fleet of articulated units for newly-formed CMB Packaging. The deal —...

• Humberside haulage operator Stuart Evison is selling off his entire fleet because he has had enough of the "hassle" of...

• United Carriers' revolutionary containerised parcels service, Multifreight, is to be relaunched in August under the United...

• The rocketing cost of warehouse space is now the chief worry of distribution bosses, says a new survey of 400 firms in all...

• Foden has expanded its dealer network with a new 21.5 million site at Rochester, Kent operated by S E Trucks. The Frinilsbury...

• Transfleet Services has opened nine new truck rental sites, at Bristol, Camberwell, Enfield, Hinckley, Teesside, Manchester,...

• From the beginning of October all Foden 4000 Series tractor models will be offered with the option of the latest Perkins...

• EC Commission chiefs aim to sweep away all controls on the imports of LCVs and cars from Japan. At a meeting in Brussels...

• A Leyland Daf 400 van with factory-fitted air suspension is now in service with computer products supplier Comparex. The air...

• A 22 million wet cornering and braking circuit was opened last week at the Motor Industry Research Association's grounds near...

• Nottingham-based Permaquip is launching a road/rail version of the Multicar 4x4. The Perrnaquip road/rail vehicle uses rail...

• A bid to form a private bus company, part-owned by Tayside Region's bus drivers, won its first battle last week when plans...

• Lothian Region Transport has taken delivery of its 200th Leyland Olympian, fitted with power steering', a ZF four-speed...

• Andy Baird, the shop steward at the centre of the bitter six-week strike at Kelvin Scottish (CM 1-7 June), is now preparing a...

• London Buses subsidiary London General took delivery of a second LBL Daf Delta last week which is the first dualdoorway model...

• London Bus workers are to step up industrial action following their rejection of the management's latest, 8.1% pay offer. The...

• Scarborough and District is testing the nostalgia market with the introduction of two preserved coaches and two...

are being rebranded "Happy Dragons" this summer. Crosville Wales runs seven topless double-deckers on • the coastal route. It...

• Local service competition in Hull is set to shift up a gear with the entry of coach firm Metro into bus operations....

• Stagecoach subsidiaries Cumberland and Ribble will swap vehicles and depots in Cumbria this weekend (18 June), giving...

• Merthyr Tydfil Transport, which is being bought from the borough council by two local independent operators, says it can beat...

• Last week's decision to delay the entry of 40-tonne lorries into Britain until 1999 was a compromise. The European Commission...

• Currie & Johnstone (European Transport), was granted additional vehicles and trailers last year after undertaking only to use...

• A company which does not want to acquire any vehicles has been granted an operator's licence by Scottish Deputy Licensing...

• North Western Traffic Commissioner Martin Albu has revoked the PSV licence held by C H Redfern but granted its successor,...

• Lorry driver Alfred Joy last week told a High Court hearing how he had continually asked his foreman for thicker ropes to tie...

• The licence held by John Menzies Jnr, trading as Whickham Transport, which was suspended in April by North Eastern Licensing...

• Halifax-based J T Windle was granted an additional six vehicles and trailers after neighbouring residents, who had made...

• A Dumfries haulier has been given until noon on 20 June to produce satisfactory maintenance agreements regarding his vehicles...

• • The British distribution industry is leaner and fitter than in most other countries — but its bosses must guard against...

• Conoco has opened its fifth regional airport refuelling service, at Belfast. Simon Storage, specialists in aircraft...

• Robsons Distribution Services has won a 2750,000 contract to act as UK distributor for the peat and compost producer Bord na...

• A five-year contract-hire agreement to supply bread delivery vans has been clinched by BRS Northern. The £300,000 deal is...

• Hartlebury-based Double D Transport has been taken over by the Atcherley Holdings Group in a deal which reflects the family...

• Dr Gunther Rossow, president of the international drivers pressure group UICR (Union Internationale Des Chauffeurs Routiers),...

FIFTH-WHEEL MOVES • Following the acquisitionof Davies Magnet by ML Douglas Equipment, all production of Davies Magnet TJ4,...

TN & DSS '19 • A new Irisnxhibition for suppliers of transport, warehousing and hkelling equipment is being held at the Point...

Museum is holding the Tribute to London Transport; Trojan Rally, on 18 June; Coalmen's Day door-todoor delivery lorries, bulk...

'89, a leaflet about Britain's roads and their usage. It shows road transport's importance to the economic and social life and...

• The law requires all businesses to keep paperwork for certain periods of time. To help companies understand current...

COMPUTERS FOR TRUCK DEALERS • Nixdorf Computer has launched its Comet Motor Plus motor dealer computer management system in the...

suppression equipment. The mouldings are now more flexible, less resistant to impact and more tearresistant, claims the...

photocopier, the Betacom Murata Ml, retailing at £575. The lightweight, portable machine personalises outgoing faxes and has a...

powered from a vehicle cigarette lighter socket, has been launched by West German company Coleman. The 25-litre coolbox weighs...

launched a fuel monitoring system called Fuel-Tach, designed to enable a driver to adapt his driving habits to achieve maximum...

N EW CELLULARS FROM BOSCH • Bosch Mobile Communications has launched two new cellular telephones, the Bosch Executive 1320 for...

IMPORT INFO • I IM Customs and Excise has announced a new scheme for obtaining information on importers. Importers now have to...

RHA YOUNG SCENE • The Young Executive Section of the Road Haulage Association will be holding a study weekend on 16-18 June in...

in the waste disposal industry is being established by the Institute of Waste Management, the National Association of Waste...

FOUR BRIDGES OPEN • The new Four Bridges route has re-opened to link the dockland area between Birkenhead and Wallasey to the...

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD • Junction 23 Lorry Park off the M1 has expanded its catering facilities and is now waiting for approval to...

A4OM Westway: Closed westbound 16-17 June. M40 Bucks: Lane closures 33-4 (Wycombe EastIWycombe). M4 Berks: Lane closures...

M5 Hereford and Worcester Contraflow J4-4A (Bromsgrove/ M42). M1 Notts: Contraflow, J24-25 (A6/ A52 Derby). M42 West...

Mfil Greater Manchester: Lane closures southbound, J3 (A666M62). M56 Greater Manchester: Traffic island improvement on airport...

A38 Devon: Roadworks between Ivybridge and Lee Mifl. A40 Powys: Temporary traffic lights near Sennybridge at Penwem Bends.

M90 Fife: Overnight restrictions northbound at the Forth road bridge. M74 Strathclyde: Lane closures near 34 (Glasgow Zoo)....

BRISTOL Pipe Lane: Down to one way off Colston Street. Cattlemarket Road, Templemeads: Roadworks. MANCHESTER A6 Wellington...

Some manufacturers seem intent on vying to produce more and more power — but acceleration limiters can ensure that such power...

serious attempt to boost its share of this market sector. With more cube and power, it must be a serious contender. • The most...

• Referring to the letter from Mr Salter (CM 26 April-3 May) on the subject of anti-lock systems for semi-trailers, I agree...

• It was interesting to read your article on "Starting Out" (CM 1-7 June). As a future entrant to the road transport industry...

• Your summary article (CM . 1-7 June) will be welcomed, I am sure, by many readers. I myself have been concerned with...

Dodds Transport started operations 80 years ago using a horse and cart. Now, four generations on, the company has 54 vehicles...

THE RSA In the best showbiz tradition, Gordon Lucking leapt into action at a moment's notice to keep a show on the road — and...

come much tougher than in the Finnish logging industry, where 60-tonne Sisu drawbar rigs survive in arctic weather on rough...

stolen from its premises in Heath Charnock, near Chorley over the 1 May Bank Holiday weekend — and there's a 2.500 reward on...

recall the story of Erskine Printing Systems of Fareham, which has bought a Lada as a "punishment car" for the company...

as export sales director. Based at the company's Dunstable headquarters, he is responsible for export sales, controlling a team...

Witimer, who has taken early retirement, as director of engineering at Renault Truck Industries. Velu, who joined the Renault...

sales and marketing manager of Seabourne Forwarding, at its Birmingham Airport head office. During the course of his career in...

the Wrexham branch of BRS Western to the Chester branch of BRS Northern in his new role as manager. Prior to becoming business...

Chart Hire's Oldbury depot, having served as development manager of Chart Distribution Services, Rethlitch since 1987. He has...

Automotive computer systems supplier, DCS Group, has strengthened its management team, under newly appointed managing director...

of Motor Industry Management. She has been with the Institute of the Motor Industry for two years on the editorial staff of the...

Foxon as sales and service executive of its air suspension operation, responsible for the trailer market. Prior to joining...

John Bintliff has joined Securicor as sales and marketing director from Royal Mail Parcels, where he was deputy marketing...

board as technical/operations director, continuing his work on the concept and design of the company's Piggyback project. Bob...

The British Association of Removers' commercial manager Martin Rose has been promoted to director.

new managing director of United Transport Container Holdings. Other new board members are: David Bone, managing director of...

financial director Mike' Widmer, as managing director of the board of United Automotible. His predecessor, Philip Harmer, has...

up the job of chief-executive at J Bibby & Sons, after 30 years with the company. Richard Mansell-Jones, who took over as...

Plated to take advantage of the recent vehicle excise changes, this 12-tonner possesses star quality, says Bryan Jarvis. Fast...

Dodge Commando G12 Two-Axle Rigids Dodge Commando G12 Two-Axle Rigids A s the opening paragraphs of the original Dodge G12 road...

DODGE COMMANDO 2012 RIGID. ORIGINALLY TESTED: 21/4/84. ENGINE: PERKINS T6.354.4 148 hp. GEARBOX: KARRIER 6-speed. BACK AXLE...

Since this particular vehicle was built in 1984, there have been a number of revisions accumulating in a facelift in 1987. This...

Tim Blakemore examines an addition to the Cargo range, the 5m wheelbase 1615, powered by Ford's turbocharged six-litre engine....

Ford Cargo 1615 Two-Axle Rigids T he 16-ton gross four-wheeler sector is one of the most competitive on the UK market and it...

FORD CARGO 16.15 RIGID. ORIGINALLY TESTED: 11/9/82. ENGINE: FORD 150 148hp. GEARBOX: FORD 8-570-S 8 speed. BACK AXLE RATIO:...

Iveco Ford says the Cargo 1615 is the best selling 17 tonner in the 140 to 159 horsepower segment, taking almost 40 per cent of...

Good manoeuvrability enhances the appeal of the Roadrunner 8.10 as an urban delivery vehicle, but on the open road its dated...

Leyland Roadrunner 8.10 Two-Axle Rig ids Roadrunner 8.10 Two-Axle Rig ids T he summary to the original road test report on the...

LEYLAND ROADRUNNER RIGID. ORIGINALLY TESTED: 19/4/86. ENGINE: LEYLAND 6.98DV 97hp, GEARBOX: TURNER T5-250 5-speed. BACK AXLE...

Performance and braking on the Roadrunner has been greatly improved by the fitment of the 300 series engine and front disc...

The new LP range replacements show considerable advances in driveability and cab refinement. This was much appreciated by Brian...

Mercedes-Benz 814 Two-Axle Rigids T he 7.5-tonne GVW 814 has been a particularly good seller for MercedesBenz on the British...

MERCEDEZ-BENZ 814/42 RIGID. ORIGINALLY TESTED: 6/10/84. ENGINE: MB 0M366 134hp. GEARBOX: MB 03/60-5/7.5 5-speed. BACK AXLE...

Last year we tested a brand riew FL6: we have repeated the process, but with a well-run-in example fitted with the eight-speed...

VOLVO FL616 Two-Axle Rig ids T he Volvo FL6 truck range now comprises eight basic rigid four-wheeler models covering gross...

VOLVO FL616 RIGID. (non disc brakes) ORIGINALLY TESTED: 30/5/87. ENGINE: VOLVO TD61F 207hp. GEARBOX: VOLVO R52 8-speed. BACK...

In response to the road test comments, Volvo points out that the truck returned a good overall fuel consumption despite strong...

• Just who is selling all those extra vans this year? The market is up by about 15% on the same period last year, so which...

• Within days of the launch of a new CV we're generally on the phone to the manufacturer asking about a road test. It is...

GVW: 1,435kg. Tested payload: 4 x 4, 495kg - , 4x2, 540kg. Fuel consumption (laden): 4x4, 7.891it/100km (35.81mpg); 4x2,...