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“Significant questions remain” as Logistics UK and RHA seek urgent clarity from DfT on DVS

As representative bodies of the logistics industry, both the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and Logistics UK welcome that Transport for London’s (TfL) new Direct Vision Standard (DVS) plans will be subject to review by London Councils before implementation.

Following campaigning from RHA and Logistics UK, TfL will now be required to provide a market readiness report to London Councils to assess the industry’s ability to deliver the latest proposals for the DVS before a decision to go ahead is made.

This review will consider amongst other matters whether an extended grace period is needed before the new DVS scheme is implemented.

“The review is needed as significant questions remain over what the final DVS requirements will be,” said Chris Yarsley, Senior Policy Manager at Logistics UK.

“This includes the future status of kits, investments already made to ensure lorries are compliant and why potentially all existing kit will need to be replaced at high costs to operators who have already invested significantly in good faith.”

Logistics businesses operate on very narrow margins and cannot afford to repeat these costs at a time when inflation and vehicle operating costs have risen, while also investing to meet the net-zero by 2050 deadline.

“Both associations are disappointed that, during the consultation process earlier this year, TfL did not release detailed technical specifications that could have resolved these issues,” continues Yarsley.

“We are deeply concerned that TfL has a poor understanding of the lead-in times required, and the basis on which TfL are making decisions is not clear.”

“The industry supports the Mayor’s Vision Zero road safety strategy including continuous improvements to ensure the safe operation of vehicles. However, alongside the safe operation of vehicles within London, it’s crucial that the well-being of our vital businesses are factored in.”

Both RHA and Logistics UK will continue to communicate with, and represent, members as this process continues.

*www.logistics.org.uk/campaigns  

Published On: 15/06/2023 12:00:00

Comments Section

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Paul Thompson

Surely TfL must understand the clock is ticking for the implementation of the new DVS PSS with only 15 months remaining for the proposed deadline of October next year. How do they expect Transport companies to budget for such a system when we have no idea what we are expected to fit, in a time of uncertainty with unstable inflation and increasing costs... There is the potential for a last minute rush to install vehicles with this new PSS which will be impossible for the manufactures to achieve in the current timescale.

16/06/2023 10:01:34

In brief

Shortage occupation list call for evidence 2023 

Logistics UK has submitted its response to the shortage occupation list (SOL) call for evidence 2023 which guides immigration policy. We highlighted the shortage of vehicle technicians, especially those that are qualified to work on HGVs.

Whilst in the medium-to-long term, plans are in place to rectify the causes behind this shortage, these measures will not have a significant impact on the number of technicians employed in the short term, given the 3-year length of the Heavy Vehicle Service and Maintenance apprenticeship.

Logistics UK called for HGV technicians (SOC Code: 5231 – vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians) to be added to the SOL, so that UK businesses are able to recruit the talent they need in the short term, while simultaneously working to grow the number of UK citizens training for this role. The SOL is therefore being sought as a short-term solution until longer-term domestic solutions take effect.

Introducing a voluntary standard for customs intermediaries

On 5 June HMRC launched a consultation seeking views on the introduction of a voluntary standard for customs intermediaries, it closes on 30 August 2023. This consultation follows on from the 2022 Call for Evidence: An Independent Customs Regime and complements wider transformational changes at the border set out in the 2025 Border Strategy. Views are sought on:

The objectives of a voluntary standard, and what format it could take.

How a voluntary standard could be designed and implemented.
The potential content of a voluntary standard.
Training and educational offerings for the intermediary sector, which would support the introduction of a voluntary standard.

The consultation will be of interest to customs intermediaries, traders (particularly those who use or are considering using a customs intermediary), and any other members of the border industry with an interest in and/or understanding of the customs intermediary sector.

HMRC will be holding webinars where policy officials will explain the scope of the consultation in further detail, along with the process. If members would like to attend one of these webinars, please contact HMRC. Logistics UK also plans to hold a Q&A session with officials on this issue, more information will be available shortly on this. More information is available on the GOV.UK website. 