The future of FORS. Welcome. What does this mean for you? Transport for London

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1 Transport for London Latest news May Welcome In the last year we have seen a significant increase in the number of companies registering with FORS citing Client Requirement as the reason they want to join. The future of FORS FORS is widening its coverage as Tyne and Wear Authority in the North East has expressed interest in piloting FORS in their area. They, like us, believe local authorities across the UK can use FORS to better work with lorry and van operators in their area, improving safety, air quality, reliability and efficiency through whole supply chains. If the pilot is successful, this could see FORS expand to other areas of the UK in the years ahead. This shows how FORS is becoming vital to lorry and van operators who serve the London area. But don t forget there is more to FORS than just proving operational performance credentials to potential clients; FORS also helps you stay legal, reduce costs and improve performance. What does this mean for you? If you re already registered with FORS and you service the North East, contact us at fors@tfl.gov.uk to help us extend your membership to this new area so you can take advantage of local FORS workshops and training. For all of our members, the expansion of FORS will bring added benefits such as increased opportunities to use FORS as a selling point when tendering for work outside London. And don t forget, as FORS expands, so will its buying power, increasing the exclusive benefits and discounts you receive as part of your membership. This expansion is just one of the ways FORS is evolving. You can learn more about other developments, such as the new website, new name and the updated FORS standards, in the rest of this edition of FORSight. MAYOR OF LONDON Transport for London

2 Latest news May First gold members announced At our recent successful FORS annual conference, we were delighted to award our first gold members. In total, eight operators successfully met the required standards, proving they are exceptional operators and by providing evidence of demonstrable improvements in all areas. The successful members were: Brett Concrete City of London Hall Fuels Hanson Cement John Lewis Partnership LondonWaste O Donovan (Waste Disposal) Travis Perkins Group Our first gold members were presented with their certificates by Richard Turfitt, Traffic Commissioner for the Eastern and Metropolitan Traffic areas. To find out how you can progress through FORS, view the new FORS standards at Going Dutch FORS would also like to congratulate Huisman International BV who have recently become our first Dutch member. Based in Wijchen, Huisman International BV operate 28 vehicles and specialise in part-load freight and distribution to and from the Netherlands and the UK and Ireland. Joining FORS was initially a customer requirement but once they investigated the scheme they realised FORS supports and rewards high quality operators like themselves. Transport Manager Mr Dik Wilken s said We want to be the best in terms of safety, efficiency and customer care and the FORS accreditation helps us prove this.

3 Latest news May TfL publishes transport hotspot information to ensure London is open for business in 2012 Transport for London (TfL) has published very detailed transport hotspot information to help businesses prepare for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The information is available at tfl.gov.uk/2012. Around 70 per cent of road traffic in Greater London will be unaffected and two thirds of Tube and DLR stations will see no impact, in terms of additional time taken to board a train. However, on the busiest days, there will an additional three million journeys in London as people watch the Games and attend cultural events, meaning the road and public transport networks will be much busier than usual in certain locations. The road and Tube station hotspot maps and accompanying travel advice are based on the latest data and information on which TfL is developing its own operational transport plans. On the roads, the maps show the impact for each day of the Games and on the days immediately preceding. Alongside the road hotspot maps, TfL has developed an online road journey planning tool, available at tfl.gov.uk/2012, which shows the additional journey time for those road journeys that really must be undertaken at the busiest times and in the busiest locations, such as the delivery of perishable goods. London s Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy said: We have two clear objectives, to support the delivery of a great London 2012 Games and ensure we keep London moving and open for business next summer. What s clear from the detailed analysis we ve published today is that while large parts of London will be able to operate pretty much as normal, in other areas, including central London and around Games venues, roads and public transport networks will clearly be affected. However, rather than a blanket 30 per cent reduction in travel across London as a whole we need to focus attention in certain hotspot locations at certain times. Visit tfl.gov.uk/2012 for the latest information and advice on making deliveries in London during the 2012 Games.

4 Latest news May FORS online launched We have now launched our new improved website, FORS Online, a web based resource that allows you to access FORS information, tools and other materials from one location. FORS Online can be found at and in addition to the existing material that is on the FORS website, it will also include: Details on how to progress to higher levels of membership FORS toolkits safety, fines and charges and fuel Workshop calendars Policy documents covering safety issues, fines and charges and fuel usage Plus much more Freight to Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) FORS is always looking to expand its offer, to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose for today s industry. Some recent feedback highlighted that certain sectors such as couriers and construction companies, for example, have not previously signed up as they do not perceive themselves as carrying freight. We have therefore changed our name slightly from Freight Operator Recognition Scheme to Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme with immediate affect. This allows a wider range of fleet types to come under the scheme, so if you operate motorcycles/ mopeds carrying parcels or have vehicles that usually carry people but occasionally carry goods, for example, and would like the assurance of FORS accreditation, this can now be accommodated. If you do operate some of these vehicles and would like to take advantage of the FORS offer, contact fors@tfl.gov.uk

5 Latest news May FORS standards evolving The standards required for operators to have their fleets recognised and maintained by FORS have changed, ensuring they remain relevant. The four key areas to the standard remain the same covering management, vehicles, drivers and operations. To obtain the initial bronze accreditation, an audit must still be undertaken by our independent assessors. The new standards will ensure that operators meet certain minimum requirements: Bronze A legally compliant operator that is following best practice. Silver To obtain silver, the operator must produce evidence demonstrating they are a high quality operator that is actively committed to becoming safer, greener and more efficient. Gold To obtain gold, the operator must be an exceptional operator and provide evidence of demonstrable improvements in all areas. The full list of standards and exact requirements can be found at New workshop to help you pass your bronze assessment To help operators achieve the bronze standard, we have developed a new workshop which is specifically designed to help you prepare for your bronze assessment. Entitled Going for bronze the workshop is being run on Thursday 17 May in St James s Park, London. If you or a colleague would like to attend, forsworkshops@tfl.gov.uk or call Places are free, but there s a limit of two attendees per company. Have you recently overcome a challenge? Would you like to share your best practices? At each workshop, we offer the opportunity for a member to present a case study. The case study allows you to present how you identified and tackled a relevant issue related to the workshop topic. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please forsworkshops@tfl.gov.uk

6 Latest news May FORS Tyne and Wear launched From spring 2012, Tyne and Wear will be the first region outside of London to adopt FORS on a trial basis, which will entitle freight and fleet companies operating in the region to join and enjoy all the same exclusive benefits and discounts available to their counterparts who deliver into London. These benefits include a free audit, workshops, access to FORS Online, toolkits, driver licence checks, online driver training and driver profiling to name just a few. FORS is being trialled by the award winning Tyne and Wear Freight Partnership which aims to help develop sustainable freight movement in Tyne and Wear. Did you know? As a FORS member, you may be able to expand your membership to Tyne and Wear, automatically. To find out if you qualify and to take advantage, contact fors@tfl.gov.uk with your depot details The Tyne and Wear Freight Partnership The Tyne and Wear Freight Partnership was launched in May 2005, with the objective of promoting the safe sustainable movement of freight throughout Tyne and Wear, benefiting the local economy and helping to reduce emissions and improve road safety. Key outputs from the Partnership include a comprehensive suite of interactive freight maps, development of a rail freight partner group to champion rail freight in the region, installation of innovative truck information points, trials of technology, road signage studies and a host of useful best practice guidance and modal shift information and tools. The success of the Partnership is well documented, and it is now seen as an example of UK (and increasingly European) best practice. Managed by the Tyne and Wear LTP Team and facilitated by AECOM, the Partnership has gained widespread recognition within the industry, winning two national awards. In 2008, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) awarded the Partnership the Freight Quality Partnership of the Year and in the same year, the Partnership received the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport s (CILT) award for Excellence in Transport Policy and Planning from CILT President, HRH Princess Anne. For more information on the Tyne and Wear Partnership visit:

7 Latest news May workshop dates In 2011, the FORS workshop programme proved very popular amongst members and received excellent feedback. Building on this feedback from attendees, we have developed a new and enhanced workshop programme for 2012 that will help you improve the safety and efficiency of your fleet by the learning and sharing of best practice with industry experts and other members. The new schedule of events until September is below. For a complete list of workshops, visit If you or a colleague would like to attend, forsworkshops@tfl.gov.uk or call Places are free, but remember there s a limit of two attendees per member company. Dates Wednesday 23 May Friday 25 May Wednesday 13 June Thursday 28 June Thursday 12 July Thursday 26 July Tuesday 18 September Wednesday 26 September Thursday 27 September Workshop topic Managing work-related road safety Managing driver fitness and impairment Managing driver assessment and training Post-collision procedures and analysis Safe and efficient fleet management Reducing fuel use and minimising environmental impacts Minimising transport fines and charges Monitoring and measuring road fleet performance Developing road transport policy Become a FORS practitioner You now have a new opportunity to become a FORS practitioner, a credential aligned with the upcoming level 3 qualification in Safe, Green and Efficient Fleet Management. If you have successfully guided your company through to at least bronze membership, and you attend each of the nine FORS workshops, you will become a FORS Practitioner and receive a certificate. Each course will be run three times during 2012, and while you can attend in any order, each workshop takes you on a journey through the programme.

8 Latest news May Take advantage of funded Driver CPC training FORS is currently offering funded Driver CPC accredited training around the UK to any operator whose vehicles enter the capital The Safe London Driving course is an accredited seven hour Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) module covering safe driving in London. It s designed to equip HGV drivers with the knowledge, skills, motivation and confidence to operate safely on London s roads. As well as highlighting the vulnerability of other road users and illustrating how to share the road safely, it explains how London s road network is evolving. Courses are being run across the UK, however places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Operators and drivers interested in taking advantage of this offer should fors@tfl.gov.uk to find available dates and locations. Training venues are located across the whole of the UK, but if you do have a suitable training venue and would like to host a future training session, please let us know and this could be accommodated. Free FORS vehicle stickers We have a large stock of A4 FORS vehicle stickers available to any member. These can be placed on cabs or trailers and will help highlight your membership to customers and potential customers. If you are interested in obtaining your free FORS sticker, please fors@tfl.gov.uk stating the number of stickers you require.