Construction logistics sector CLOCS in for road safety event

The Transport for London-backed CLOCS (Construction Logistics & Cycle Safety) initiative has held a biannual progress event in London, at which it announced plans to increase the scheme’s reach across the country.

CLOCS is a construction logistics industry project committed to promoting safer new vehicles and the retrofitting of safety equipment on existing fleets, and raising awareness of road safety within the sector.

The event, which was held at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre, showcased a range of vehicles, including the new Mercedes-Benz Econic high-vision tipper (pictured). DAF, MAN, Scania and Volvo vehicles were also on display, featuring lower cabs and additional glass to improve driver vision.

Achievements by the initiative highlighted at the event included the rollout of a collision reporting and management system for drivers and operators, CLOCS Manager – and the implementation of the CLOCS Standard within supply chains across the country.

CLOCS also launched new guidance for operators on vehicle safety equipment and compliance, which can be downloaded from the website (www.clocs.org.uk).

Sir Peter Hendy CBE, the London transport commissioner, gave a keynote speech at the event, while presentations were also given by road safety charities and solicitors Backhouse Jones.

“Every death and injury on our roads is a tragedy and ruins lives,” said Sir Peter. “At TfL we are reducing these wherever possible, and are proud to be a supporter and funder of CLOCS, which has been making great progress to make all road users safer.

“The new vehicles on show today, with massively reduced blind spots, show what can be done if people join together for a common good to solve a simple problem. We will continue our work to improve freight road safety in all aspects, be it collaboration, regulation, enforcement and lobbying, to create a capital fit for freight, and freight fit for the capital.”

CLOCS Champion Dave Hart, of building products supplier Cemex UK – which runs a fleet of nearly 1,000 vehicles – said: “Yesterday’s event was a good opportunity for us to show not just the industry and the public, but also to remind ourselves, of the progress CLOCS has made in improving safety in the construction industry over the last two years.

“Keeping vulnerable road user safety firmly at the forefront of the industry’s mind is central to our work and we will continue to be the driving force of the initiative going forward.”

Meanwhile, Cynthia Barlow OBE, campaigner for charity RoadPeace, spoke at the event of her daughter, who was killed by a concrete mixer while cycling to work in 2000.

“Construction vehicles are still disproportionately involved in the deaths and serious injuries of vulnerable road users, cyclists and pedestrians, and it is unacceptable to allow this to continue when preventive action can be taken,” she said.

“The CLOCS Champions have demonstrated that the right policies, training, and technology can make a difference and we now need to spread this across the country and throughout the supply chain in the construction logistics industry.”