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Shortfall of vehicles, parts and technicians is stalling DVS compliance, says Logistics UK
Logistics UK has pressed Transport for London (TfL) to extend the grace period for Direct Vision Standard (DVS) compliance for operators that are registered on the scheme but would not meet the requirements in time.
Natalie Chapman, Head of Policy for South, Logistics UK, said: “Logistics UK’s members are keen to comply with the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) requirements – safety is of paramount importance to the logistics industry – but a nationwide shortfall of available technicians, vehicles and parts left many unable to upgrade or replace their vehicles in time for the ending of the grace period.”
TfL recently confirmed that the 90-day grace period for logistics operators that provided evidence of their Safe System equipment fitting bookings ahead of the DVS enforcement date of 1 March would not be extended beyond 29 May. As of 30 May, any vehicles without a valid safety permit are no longer allowed to enter or operate in London and may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
However, with a number of operators unable to make the necessary investments – owing to circumstances outside their control – Logistics UK wrote to Transport for London to request an extension to the grace period for those operators that have already registered on the scheme prior to 1 March 2021. In the letter, Logistics UK Chief Executive David Wells explained that a number of members have contacted Logistics UK to express concerns about how they will manage their London operations with a further extension to the grace period.
“Logistics UK is not calling for any further delay to enforcement of the scheme in general,” Chapman said, “Having suffered financial and operational disruption due to COVID-19, this extension would have been a lifeline to the operators who continue to work tirelessly to support London’s businesses, residents and visitors, until the shortfall of vehicles, parts, and technicians required to either upgrade or replace vehicles are overcome.”
TfL has responded to the letter stating: “l[the] logistics industry has had a significant amount of time to prepare for the changes and indeed most operators have done so […] whilst the high number of permits being issued with safe systems in place is positive, it is still concerning that the provisional data from 2020 shows that 13 people walking and cycling died in collisions with HGVs. In this context our view is that it would not have been right to postpone full implementation of the scheme any longer.”
Logistics UK will continue to press for necessary changes to the scheme to ensure it is as workable as possible for industry, whilst ensuring road safety standards are maintained.
*www.logistics.org.uk/road
Published On: 10/06/2021 17:00:38
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