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MPs urge foreign lorry crackdown | MPs urge foreign lorry crackdown |
(about 5 hours later) | |
MPs are calling for the agency in charge of safety-testing lorries, buses and coaches to be given extra powers to get dangerous vehicles off the road. | MPs are calling for the agency in charge of safety-testing lorries, buses and coaches to be given extra powers to get dangerous vehicles off the road. |
The Commons Transport Committee said non-compliance among foreign-registered vehicles was unacceptably high. | The Commons Transport Committee said non-compliance among foreign-registered vehicles was unacceptably high. |
Almost half of foreign vehicles were found to be un-roadworthy or in need of work, compared with 38% of UK vehicles. | Almost half of foreign vehicles were found to be un-roadworthy or in need of work, compared with 38% of UK vehicles. |
The committee called for more resources for the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). | The committee called for more resources for the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). |
Its report, which looked into the enforcement activities of VOSA, said the agency needed more access to ports to prevent dangerous vehicles from entering Britain. | |
Committee chairman Louise Ellman MP said: "Britain has some of the safest roads in Europe but more must be done to ensure compliance with our safety standards for lorries, buses and coaches." | Committee chairman Louise Ellman MP said: "Britain has some of the safest roads in Europe but more must be done to ensure compliance with our safety standards for lorries, buses and coaches." |
It is crucial that VOSA can share information with colleagues in other European countries to bring cowboy operators to book Louise Ellman MP | It is crucial that VOSA can share information with colleagues in other European countries to bring cowboy operators to book Louise Ellman MP |
She said VOSA was "recognised as a model of best practice" but it "lacked sufficient access to our ports to inspect vehicles and drivers effectively". | She said VOSA was "recognised as a model of best practice" but it "lacked sufficient access to our ports to inspect vehicles and drivers effectively". |
The agency was also "hampered by some of the data-sharing regulations", she said. | The agency was also "hampered by some of the data-sharing regulations", she said. |
"With many unsafe foreign-registered lorries and drivers entering the UK, it is crucial that VOSA can share information with colleagues in other European countries to bring cowboy operators to book. | "With many unsafe foreign-registered lorries and drivers entering the UK, it is crucial that VOSA can share information with colleagues in other European countries to bring cowboy operators to book. |
"Better arrangements are needed so that the tracking methods used so effectively to nail non-compliant British vehicles can be employed to target foreign-registered lorries and coaches." | "Better arrangements are needed so that the tracking methods used so effectively to nail non-compliant British vehicles can be employed to target foreign-registered lorries and coaches." |
Licensing rules | Licensing rules |
Licensing rules for buses and coaches also need to be tightened, the report said. | Licensing rules for buses and coaches also need to be tightened, the report said. |
Loopholes were endangering the safety of passengers by enabling some bus companies to operate unfit vehicles by transferring public service vehicle (PSV) licences between vehicles, it claimed. | Loopholes were endangering the safety of passengers by enabling some bus companies to operate unfit vehicles by transferring public service vehicle (PSV) licences between vehicles, it claimed. |
The study concluded it was hard to prove who was using a given vehicle at a particular time - or if a specific vehicle had passed the required annual test. | The study concluded it was hard to prove who was using a given vehicle at a particular time - or if a specific vehicle had passed the required annual test. |
A spokesperson for VOSA said it welcomed the report which "highlights the valuable enforcement work" carried out by the agency. | A spokesperson for VOSA said it welcomed the report which "highlights the valuable enforcement work" carried out by the agency. |
The agency had already made "significant progress" in some of the areas mentioned, he said. | The agency had already made "significant progress" in some of the areas mentioned, he said. |
"We have successfully introduced new enforcement powers enabling our examiners to issue on the spot financial penalties to drivers from the UK and abroad. | "We have successfully introduced new enforcement powers enabling our examiners to issue on the spot financial penalties to drivers from the UK and abroad. |
"Since spring 2009 VOSA has issued around 8,000 fixed penalty notices, of which around 60% were to drivers from outside the UK," he added. | "Since spring 2009 VOSA has issued around 8,000 fixed penalty notices, of which around 60% were to drivers from outside the UK," he added. |
Freight Transport Association spokesman Jo Tanner said while the UK fleet is recognised as the safest in Europe, there was "continuing concern" over by rogue operators from overseas. | Freight Transport Association spokesman Jo Tanner said while the UK fleet is recognised as the safest in Europe, there was "continuing concern" over by rogue operators from overseas. |
"VOSA's detection rates are good, but how are these vehicles able to make it so far from their home nation unchallenged? | "VOSA's detection rates are good, but how are these vehicles able to make it so far from their home nation unchallenged? |
"The committee is absolutely right in encouraging greater collaboration and information-sharing between agencies, not only on this side of the Channel, but on the continent too." | "The committee is absolutely right in encouraging greater collaboration and information-sharing between agencies, not only on this side of the Channel, but on the continent too." |