Freight operators, councils and transport officials met to discuss how to operate safer and more efficient deliveries as part of London's Safer Lorry Scheme.

The first of 600 signs for Transport for London's (TfL's) and London Council’s Safer Lorry Scheme, due to begin operating in three months time, were erected across the Capital.

With the September implementation date for the Safer Lorry Scheme rapidly approaching, the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) held a conference in London this week focusing on increased levels of enforcement against unsafe lorries to improve road safety.
 
From September 1, nearly 600 signs will be in place around London reminding all HGV drivers and operators that they must have essential safety equipment installed to keep vulnerable road users safe if they are to drive in the Capital, or they will face fines. Enforcement of the Safer Lorry Scheme will be carried out by Metropolitan and City of London police officers and examiners from the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).  

Enforcement by units such as the Industrial HGV Taskforce (IHTF), will mean that any driver that attempts to enter the Capital without vital safety mirrors and sideguards on their vehicles will incur fines. The ambition is to have all relevant vehicles upgraded with the safety equipment before the scheme begins.

Research suggests that the use of sideguards and mirrors, as prescribed by the Safer Lorry Scheme, would have prevented up to 12 deaths or serious injuries over a five year period.

Leon Daniels, managing director of surface transport at TfL, said: “From September, we want our city to be free of the rogue minority of HGVs, which put road safety at risk. As we draw closer to the start of the Safer Lorry Scheme, we are working hard to ensure operators know that enforcement of this scheme is coming soon. Improving road safety, and particularly reducing collisions involving freight vehicles, is vital for London and we want all operators to do the right thing and ensure they have the necessary mirrors and sideguards that protect vulnerable road users.”

Cllr Julian Bell, chair of London Councils' transport and environment committee, said: ‘The tragic deaths on our roads in recent weeks have once again served to highlight the urgent need to increase road safety in the Capital. London Councils is pleased to represent the boroughs’ role in bringing this scheme into operation.”

The FTA Managing Freight in London conference brought together industry representatives, and alongside discussions about the Safer Lorry Scheme, TfL used the conference as an opportunity to highlight the benefits of the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) and Construction Logistics and Cyclist Safety programme (CLOCS) to manage Work Related Road Risk within supply chains.