
Loads More Fines
Delivering
and picking up consignments is the lifeblood of the logistics sector.
It’s the very reason why delivery and haulage firms exist.
Every
day millions of parcels, pallets and boxes are dropped off or picked
up throughout the UK. In cities, towns, rural areas and remote,
far-flung corners. We rarely think about it. But without this
activity, we’d live very different lives. How would our food,
medicines, clothes or fuel get to us without someone to deliver it?
Arguably, the most challenging deliveries are in city centres where room to legally park vehicles is in short supply. Usually, this means the use of loading bays where drivers can pull up, drop off or collect a parcel without being fined or admonished by traffic enforcement.
Loads
A Money!
A
recent study by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle division identified a
worrying trend. Based on FOI information requests, VW found that van
drivers have had £1.7million in fines levied over the past three
years for the incorrect use of loading bays.
And the situation is escalating with annual increases of 10% of tickets issued to delivery drivers.
So
What’s Going On?
The
subplot here points to increased vigilance by parking enforcement in
cash-strapped city councils. The study found that Glasgow,
Manchester and Haringey are particularly keen to spot and punish
incorrect use of loading bays.
Maybe
there’s also a need to train drivers on the correct rules for the
use of these zones.
In
short, loading bays should only be used to collect or deliver a
parcel that requires the use of a vehicle. It’s recommended hazard
lights are used to show delivery is underway. Once complete, the
driver should vacate the spot immediately. Conversely, it’s an
offence to park in a loading bay while waiting for a space to come
free, to drop off people or to stay longer than the street signs
state.
Drivers
can be sure there’s almost certainly a set of beady eyes watching
them at work, waiting to pounce and extract a stinging fine should
they break the rules. Ouch!
Load
Up On The Correct Info’
As
important is that drivers know the loading/unloading guidelines for
each city they visit and ensure they follow these rules to the
letter. The use of mobile technology is useful here combined with
one of the many available parking apps to help drivers make wise,
penalty-free parking choices
Volkswagen’s
study does note that around 20% of these tickets are turned over on
appeal. But that still leaves a big chunk of these costs down to poor
driver knowledge. As Sarah Cox, head of marketing at Volkswagen
Commercial Vehicles confirms:
"As
this research reveals, PCNs are costing businesses thousands of
pounds a year when, in fact, they can be avoided completely if you
understand the rules correctly.
"Loading bays are an essential part of the red route network as they allow businesses to access central locations to make and receive important deliveries. As the rules change between councils, it is crucial that you check before you park."
It’s
Getting Tough Out There
The Truckcraft team have every
sympathy with our colleagues in the delivery sector. It seems every
day there are more costly hazards to negotiate, including CAZ schemes
and now enhanced loading bay compliance. One thing that will help is
the use of a premium Truckcraft-built vehicle. They may not help you
avoid fines, but you can be sure they’ve been designed to enable
swift deliveries and will always be supremely reliable.
In
a Truckcraft van, you’ll be in and out of that loading bay in no
time!
For more information on our range of city-friendly delivery trucks and vans, please contact the Truckcraft Bodies sales team on 0161 304 9404. Alternatively, email glen.pinder@truckcraftbodies.co.uk or emma.jane@truckcraftbodies.co.uk.
Published: Sep 24