Working in Ireland

I am sitting in the Truck on a dry Saturday afternoon on Dublin Docks at the Topaz garage, a recently built all in Parking Area for Trucks. Which charge some ten euros a night or twenty euros for twenty four hours the only place in Southern Ireland that I no off. There is an understanding that Stobart’s are or has an account at topaz for paying this at the moment, but one has there doutghs about this. We will see if this works out on Monday morning.
Back to sitting in the Truck thing, you don’t get many days here that it does not rain for part of the day. Well as I am writing this you guest its started to rain, this will not get the other two Drivers out will it. One is reading his book and the other said it is to cold to go into town, which was decided on last night that we would get a taxi into town.
The work here is ok for now it pays the bills, Stobart has very little work for the international drivers at this time so I am happy to work over here for the time being. It just intails picking up loaded trailors from the Docks and delivering them around Dublin manly, you do get some that go to other parts of Ireland. Work is limited, manly dry foods for small Irish food retailer. The reloads are limited to just three companies so you have some idea were you will reload from and the sort of time you will get back to the docks at night. But this is Ireland, there is nothing here you can rely on happening here.
I must say that the roads around Ireland have improved in the last eight year since I last worked here. The traffic has slowed some what, and they have stopped the habit of pulling over to the left, not slowing down, to let traffic pass. This habit is now illegal. Slows the traffic down, don’t get stuck behind a Tescos truck, they don’t like to go to fast you now. You must relies that most of the roads here are signal track, maybe only 150 km of motorway built here. There is one to the west of Dublin going north south and some others going out to the west.
The most demanding thing about working here is the addresses you get for the loads. This has developed the Irish way you could say. It is hard to explain because there are no rules to go bye for example.
TDG Ltd Decoded TDG Ltd
Farberry Farbbery Bussnes Park
Nangor New Nangor Road
Nass Naas
But this place is not near Naas it is near Grange Castle Dublin, so the best thing to do is ask an Irish drive if he can help. This can mean you will have to get pen and paper out, you will get the hole route, and the best route there is, with every Pub, Garage, traffic lights, roundabout, pylons, cow, dog and Micks Café. The cat dyed Last Week but it never went out the house!
So will try to get some more Pic’s of Ireland if the weather gets better, I have put some on the Blog for you.

Truckers in diesel price protest

Organiser TransAction was among those behind fuel protests in 2000
Lorry drivers protesting against the "rocketing" price of diesel have arrived in a convoy in central London.
About 65 vehicles converged in Park Lane in protest at a 30% rise in diesel pump prices in 12 months.
The organisers presented a coffin to the Houses of Parliament to represent hundreds of haulage firms they claim have gone bankrupt as a result.
It follows a 48-hour strike at Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland in a dispute over pension changes.
Tuesday's protest has been organised by TransAction 2007, one of the groups behind fuel protests in 2000 which caused 90% of petrol stations to run dry.
The convoy started off in Kent and headed up M2 motorway into the capital.

Truckers take their protest to Parliament
Organisers said fuel for a typical articulated lorry now costs up to £1,000 per week.
The problem was exacerbated by foreign hauliers who arrive in the UK "full to the brim with cheaper fuel", spokesman Mike Presneill said.
"Our industry is the lifeblood of the UK economy," he added.
"Fuel is rising on a daily basis. It is now at levels that are bankrupting hundreds of small and medium-sized haulage companies."
First to arrive was driver Mick Clifton, 37, who works for the JS Cook company based at Moulton Chapel in Lincolnshire.
We just don't know whether our jobs are going to be safe
Driver Mick Clifton
He said: "The price of fuel at the moment is ridiculous. We just don't know whether our jobs are going to be safe.
"If Gordon Brown doesn't do something about this soon he'll be out of office."
The Road Haulage Association's chief executive Roger King has urged the government to abandon plans to raise fuel duty by 2p next October.
He said: "We support a peaceful and legal protest and that is what this is. We think such an exercise helps underscore the real feelings hauliers have."
Protesters have also handed a letter summarising their grievances to the Houses of Parliament, together with a copy of the 2005 Burns Inquiry.
The independent inquiry into the effect of fuel taxation found that the level of diesel duty in the UK was higher than the average EU rate.

Current Rules

On 11 April 2007, the current Regulations governing drivers’ hours will change, and Council Regulation (EC) No 3820/85 will be replaced by Regulation (EC) No 561/2006. Although some of the rules will be the same, or broadly similar, some changes are due to be implemented .The following tables are designed to give a brief overview in lieu of more detail to be published in the near future.

Current Rules
New Rules from 11 April 2007
Daily Driving
9 hours. Can be extended to 10 hours twice a week.
No change.
Weekly Driving
There is currently no weekly driving limit specified in legislation.
A weekly driving time limit of 56 hours is specified in the new rules.
Fortnightly driving
Maximum 90 hours driving per fortnight.
Maximum 90 hours in any two consecutive weeks.
Breaks from driving
45 minutes break on or immediately following 4 ½ hours cumulative driving. The 45 minute breaks can be broken down into breaks of at least 15 minutes each.
After four and a half hours driving, a driver must take a break of at least 45 minutes. The break is a period during which the driver may not perform other work and is exclusively used for recuperation. This break may be split into smaller periods and distributed throughout the 41/2 hour. In this case, the first period must be at lest 15 minutes, and the second period must be at least 30 minutes.
Daily rest
11 hours in the 24 hour period commencing at the end of the last daily or weekly rest period. This may be reduced to a minimum of 9 hours no more than three times per fixed week.
Daily rest may be taken in a vehicle as long as it is fitted with a bunk and is stationary. Reductions must be compensated before the end of the following week and attached to another rest period of at least 8 hours.
11 hours in the 24 hour period commencing at the end of the last daily or weekly rest period. This may be reduced to 9 hours no more than three times between any two weekly rest periods. There is no compensation required.
Where a driver chooses to take daily rest periods away from base, they may be taken in a vehicle provided that there are suitable sleeping facilities for each driver and the vehicle is stationary
Split Daily rest
May be made up of 2 or 3 periods totaling 12 hours. Each period must be no less than 1 hour, with the last period being 8 hours.
The 12 hour rest period can be taken in two periods. The first period must be at least 3 hours, and the second at least 9 hours.
Weekly Rest
At least 45 consecutive hours which can be reduced to 36 hours at base or 24 hours away from base. This must be taken after no more then 6 successive periods of 24 hours following the last weekly rest period (provided the total driving time does not exceed the maximum corresponding to six daily driving periods).
Reductions must be taken en bloc before the end of the third week following the week of reduction, and attached to another rest period of at least 8 hours long. Compensation shall be taken at the vehicle or driver’s base at the driver’s request. A weekly rest that begins in one week and continues in the following week may be attached to either of these weeks.
Within six 24 hour periods from the end of the last weekly rest period, a driver will extend a daily rest period into either; a regular weekly rest period of at least 45 hours, or a reduced weekly rest period of less than 45 hours but at least 24 hours.
In any two consecutive weeks, a driver shall take at least two regular weekly rest periods, or one regular weekly rest period and one reduced weekly rest period of at least 24 hours. However, the reduction shall be compensated by an equivalent period of rest taken en bloc before the end of the third week following the week in question.
Multi-manning
8 hours rest in 30 hours for each driver, with the need for all crew members to be present with the vehicle at all times within that period.
Within 30 hours of the end of a daily or weekly rest period, a driver engaged in multi-manning must have taken a new daily rest period of at least 9 hours.
For the first hour of multi-manning the presence of another driver or drivers is optional, but for the remainder of the period it is compulsory.
Ferry Crossings
Where a driver accompanies a vehicle which is transported by ferry boat or train, daily rest may be interrupted once, provided part of the rest is taken on land, the interruption is no longer than 1 hour (including customs formalities), the driver has access to a bunk or couchette during both portions of rest, and the rest period is increased by 2 hours.
Where a driver accompanies a vehicle which is transported by ferry or train,
and takes a regular (not less than 11 hour) daily rest period, that period may be interrupted not more than twice by other activities not exceeding one hour in total.
During that regular daily rest period the driver shall have access to a bunk or couchette.
Non-Regular National & International carriage of Passengers - Weekly Rest concession
In the case of National and International carriage of passengers, other than on regular services, the driver may postpone weekly rest until the at most the end of the twelfth day when two consecutive weekly rest periods must be taken.
Concession will no longer apply
Carriage of Passengers on National Regular Services
The minimum break at not less than 30 minutes after a driving period not exceeding four hours. Such exceptions may be granted only in cases where breaks in driving of over 30 minutes could hamper the flow of urban traffic and where it is not possible for drivers to take a 15-minute break within four-and-a-half hours of driving prior to a 30-minute break.
Concession will no longer apply
Duty Rosters and Service Timetables
A regular service in a route over 50km in length is subject to EC Rules, but a tachograph is not required as long as;
• The employer draws up a service timetable and duty roster for crew members.
• The driver takes an extract from the duty roster and a copy of the service timetable with him.
• Where requested to do so by the driver, the employer must give him an extract of the duty roster.
This concession will no longer apply
Those vehicles which were not required to be fitted with tachographs, but will be as of 11 April 2007. will have until 31 December 2007 to ensure vehicles are fitted. A vehicle first registered before 1 May 2006 may be fitted with either an analogue or a digital tachograph. A vehicle first registered on or after 1 May 2006 must only be fitted with a digital tachograph. In the meantime, between 11 April 2007 and the date a tachograph is fitted, drivers must, in the case of passenger vehicles, keep an extract of the duty roster and service timetable, whereas the drivers of goods vehicles will need to keep manual records.
The following table shows current exemptions in the left hand column, comparing them to those which will come into force on 11 April 2007 in the right hand column.
Current Exemptions
New Exemptions
Vehicles used for the carriage of goods where the maximum permissible weight of the vehicle, including any trailer or semi-trailer, does not exceed 3.5 tonnes.
Although this exemption has been removed, the Regulation applies its scope to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes only.
Vehicles used for the carriage of Passengers with no more than 9 seats, including the driver’s seat.
Although this exemption has been removed, the Regulation only applies its scope to vehicles with more than 9 seats. (including the driver’s seat)
Vehicles used for the carriage of Passengers on regular services with a route that does not exceed 50kms
No change
Vehicles not capable of exceeding 30Kmh.
Vehicles not capable of exceeding 40Kmh.
Vehicles used by or under the control of the armed services, civil defence, fire services, and forces responsible for maintaining order.
Vehicles owned or hired without a driver by the armed services, civil defence services, fire services, and forces responsible for maintaining public order when the carriage is undertaken as a consequence of the tasks assigned to these services and is under their control
Vehicles used in emergencies or rescue operations.
Vehicles, including vehicles used in the non-commercial transport of humanitarian aid, used in emergencies or rescue operations;
Specialised vehicles used for medical purposes.
No change
Specialised breakdown vehicles.
Specialised breakdown vehicles operating within a 100Km radius of their base.
Vehicles undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or maintenance purposes, and new or rebuilt vehicles which have not yet been put into service.
No change
Vehicles used for the non-commercial carriage of goods and personal use.
Vehicles or combination of vehicles with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 7.5 tonnes used for the non-commercial carriage of goods.
Vehicles used in connection with sewerage, flood protection, water, gas and electricity maintenance services, highway maintenance and control, household refuse collection and disposal, telegraph and telephone services, radio and television broadcasting, and the detection of radio or television transmitters or receivers;
This has been changed to a national derogation
Vehicles Transporting Circus and Funfair equipment
This has been changed to a national derogation
Vehicles used for milk collection from farms and the return to farms of milk containers or milk products intended for animal feed
This has been changed to a national derogation
New exemption
Commercial vehicles, which have historic status according to the legislation of the member state in which they're driven and which are used for the non-commercial carriage of goods for personal use
DfT are currently consulting on what constitutes a historic vehicle.
The following table shows current derogation exemptions in the left hand column, comparing them to those which will come into force on 11 April 2007 in the right hand column.
Current Derogation Exemptions
New Derogation Exemptions
Vehicles used for carrying passengers, which by virtue of their construction and equipment are suitable for carrying not more than 17 persons, including the driver, and are intended for that purpose
Vehicles with between 10 and 17 seats used exclusively for the non-commercial carriage of passengers
Vehicles used by public authorities to provide public services which are not in competition with national road hauliers.
1. A health body, ambulances or vehicles used to carry staff, patients. Medical supplies or equipment
2. Local authority for social services for old people (and certain welfare provisions)
3. The coastguard and lighthouse authorities
4. Harbour authorities for the improvement, maintenance or management within the limits of the harbour
5. Airport authorities within the perimeter of the airport
6. British Railways board, Transport for London a passenger transport executive or local authority for railway maintenance purposes
7. British Waterways board for the purpose of maintaining navigable waterways
Vehicles owned or hired without a driver by public authorities to which do not compete with private transport undertakings.
DfT are currently consulting on these Public Authorities and will be updating the list in due course.
Vehicles used by agricultural, horticultural, forestry of fishery undertakings for carrying goods within a 50 kilometre radius the place where the vehicle is normally based, including local administrative areas, the centres of which are situated within that radius.
Vehicles used or hired, without a driver, by agricultural, horticultural, forestry, farming or fishery undertakings for carrying goods as part of their own entrepreneurial activity within a radius of up to 100 km from the base of the undertaking
Tractors used exclusively for agricultural and forestry work.
Agricultural tractors and forestry tractors used for agricultural or forestry activities, within a radius of up to 100 km from the base of the undertaking which owns, hires or leases the vehicle
Vehicles being used to carry animal waste or carcasses which are no intended for human consumption
No change
Vehicles which are used to carry live animals between a farm and a local market or from a market to a local slaughterhouse
Vehicles which are used to carry live animals between a farm and a local market and vice versa or from a market to a local slaughterhouse within a radius of up to 50km.
Vehicles used as shops at local markets or for door-to-door selling, or used for mobile banking, exchange or saving transactions, for worship, for the lending of books, records or cassettes, or cultural events or exhibitions, and specially fitted for such uses.
Specially fitted mobile project vehicles, the primary purpose of which is use as an educational facility when stationary.
Vehicles carrying material or equipment for the drivers use in the course of his work within a 50Km radius of the place where the vehicle is normally based provided that driving the vehicle does not constitute the drivers main activity etc.
NOTE: the reference to 7.5t did not appear in 3820/85 but was adopted as a rule in the UK.
Vehicles or combination of vehicles with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 7.5 tonnes used by;
• universal service providers as defined in Art 2(13) of 97/67 on common laws for the development of the internal market of community postal services and the improvement of quality service to deliver items as part of the universal service
• or for carrying materials, equipment or machinery for the drivers use in the course of his work.
Within a 50Km radius of the base of the undertaking and on condition that driving the vehicles does not constitute the driver's main activity
Vehicles operating exclusively on islands not exceeding 2 300 square kilometres in area which are not linked to the rest of the national territory by a bridge, ford or tunnel open for use by motor vehicles
Derogation is unchanged.
Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and propelled by means of gas produced on the vehicle or of electricity or equipped with a governor in so far as such vehicles are regarded, under the legislation of the Member State of registration, as equivalent to vehicles propelled by a petrol or diesel engine, the maximum permitted weight of which, including the weight of trailers or semi-trailers, does not exceed 3.5
vehicles used for the carriage of goods within a 50 km radius from the base of the undertaking and propelled by means of natural or liquefied gas or electricity, the maximum permissible mass of which, including the mass of a trailer or semi-trailer, does not exceed 7,5 tonnes
Vehicles used for driving instruction and examination with a view to obtaining a driving licence
vehicles used for driving instruction and examination with a view to obtaining a driving licence or a certificate of professional competence, provided that they are not being used for the commercial carriage of goods or passengers
The Regulations permit, after authorisation from the European Commission, Member States to exempt transport operations carried out in exceptional circumstances. In the UK this covers;
• vehicles which are being used by the National Lifeboat Institution
• vehicles which were manufactured before 1 January 1947
• vehicles which are propelled by steam
• passenger carrying vintage vehicles being driven in specific circumstances
The new regulations also permit exemptions in exceptional circumstances after authorisation from the European Commission.
DfT are consulting with the Commission and full details will be published in due course.
Vehicles used in connection with the sewage, flood protection, water, gas and electricity services, highway maintenance and control, refuse collection and disposal, telegraph and telephone services, carriage of postal articles, radio and television broadcasting and the detection of radio or television transmitters or receivers.
(Was an exemption in 3820/85 and is now a National derogation)
vehicles used in connection with sewerage, flood protection, water, gas and electricity maintenance services, road maintenance and control, door-to-door household refuse collection and disposal, telegraph and telephone services, radio and television broadcasting, and the detection of radio or television transmitters or receivers
Note: carriage of postal articles has been deleted
Vehicles transporting circus and fun-fair equipment (Was an exemption in 3820/85 and is now a National derogation)
Specialised vehicles transporting circus and funfair equipment.
Vehicles used for milk collection from farms and the return to farms of milk containers or milk products intended for animal feed
(Was an exemption in 3820/85 and is now a National derogation)
vehicles used for milk collection from farms and the return to farms of milk containers or milk products intended for animal feed
No specific exemption currently exists
Vehicles used exclusively on roads inside hub facilities such as ports, into ports, and railway terminals. vehicles used exclusively on roads inside hub facilities such as ports, interports and railway terminals
DfT are currently consulting on this derogation.
The derogation for specialised vehicles transporting money and/or valuables will not be adopted.
Page last updated: 15/11/2006

Guidance from VOSA

20-02-07 Guidance from VOSA on new EU Drivers' Hours Rules
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) is providing guidelines to operators and drivers on the latest amendments to the European Union’s Drivers’ Hours Rules and Regulations governing driving and rest periods for drivers of lorries, buses and coaches. The new rules will come into effect on 11 April 2007.
The Regulation (EC 561/2006) is aimed at maintaining road safety, improving working conditions for vehicle crew and ensuring that transport operations are working to the same rules throughout the road transport sector in Europe.
The new Regulation applies to vehicles with a “Maximum Authorised Mass” exceeding 3.5 tonnes or the ability to carry 10 passengers including the driver. All European Union Member States will be applying the Regulation to vehicles travelling either internationally or solely on journeys within their borders.
The new Regulation also aims to clarify and simplify the existing definitions, driving limits and requirements regarding breaks and rest. As an additional feature, the new rules will enable software developers to write tachograph analysis programmes more easily. Coupled with the introduction of digital tachographs, it will enable employers to more readily analyse records of driving and working time.
VOSA is providing the commercial vehicle industry with a summary of the new rules in the February 2007 issue of VOSA’s quarterly newsletter ‘Moving On’ (see a copy of the poster attached below). The publication including the poster will be available next week on.

Sickingen Castle at Landstuhl

The Sickingen-Castle Nansteinbears the name of the red sandstone-rock, wich reaches 15 m beyond the top of the 80 m high castle-mountain.The ground-plan consists of a central inner castle and numerous outworks. About 1600 the castle had reached its greatest size with a lenght of 125 m and breadth of 100 m; the present dimensions are 100 m by 50 m.

Nanstein - the Sickingen-Castle at Landstuhl / Palatinatewas built about the year 1160 by the Emperor Barbarossa.In 1475 the Knights of Sickingen gained the castle by marriage. The famous Knight Franz von Sickingen (1481-1523) fortified the castle in 1518, but fell in battle in 1523 against 3 powerfull princes of the Empire. From 1543 on, his sons and grandsons rebuilt the battered castle, till in 1600 it was a magnificent palace.Trough the castle remained untouched by the 30-years War, it was blown up in 1668 by the Palatinate Elector. The renovated castle then fell into ultimate ruin under the French in 1689.Since 1856, people interested in local history and the Sickingen family have been endeavoring to excavate and restore the rubble-buried remains of the castle of Nanstein, for it ranks among the noblest and most beautiful castle ruins in Germany

The Shopping Trip

God Help us All!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can Eddie Stobart conquer the skies?

The famous green and red colours of the Eddie Stobart lorry fleet could soon be taking to the skies.
There are ambitious plans to develop Carlisle Airport for commercial and freight flights by 2009.
And the Stobart brand, best known for its haulage trucks, could soon be seen by passengers flying to London, Paris, Amsterdam and Dublin.
Stobart Air, part of parent company WA Developments, believes it can tap into the lucrative business traveller market, as well as offering tourists a fast route to the Lake District, Hadrian's Wall and the border areas.
There is a big attraction for people to fly under the banner of Stobart Air, as Eddie Stobart is an iconic company
Airport director Richard Gordon
In terms of freight, the firm says there is potential to use the airport's road links to Scotland and the north-east of England to establishing a "niche" operation, possibly supplying supermarkets.
Stobart Air took over ownership of the airport last year and submitted its £25m expansion plan to Carlisle City Council earlier this month.
It wants to build a new runway, passenger and air freight terminals, control tower, hangars and warehouses.
'Iconic company'
The scheme also includes moving the Eddie Stobart headquarters and WA Developments to the site.
Richard Gordon, airport director for Stobart Air, said preliminary discussions had been held with flight operators.

Stobart recently upgraded its fleet of trucks
"It is very early days but we have been talking to commercial airlines about operating services from Carlisle, if the planning application is approved.
"It may be the case that we team up with an airline for some sort of joint venture.
"There is a big attraction for people to fly under the banner of Stobart Air, as Eddie Stobart is an iconic company.
"If we did go down that line the planes would fly under the famous green and red livery."
He predicted that the airport could be used by up to 180,000 passengers per year by 2014.
Local concerns
A twice daily passenger service to either Stansted or Luton airports had been identified as the key route for the company.
Surveys had also established Paris, Amsterdam and Dublin as other potential routes.
The small scale air freight operation outlined in the proposals was unlikely to lead to a cut in the haulage firm's 800 trucks.
People living near Carlisle airport are being invited to an open meeting at Newtown Village Hall on Thursday night about the expansion plans.

Plans include building a new runway
Concerns about the impact of the scheme on nearby villages have been raised by residents.
Eddie Stobart joined his father's agricultural contracting business in the 1960s and, over the next 30 years, built the firm into the UK's largest privately-owned haulage company.
In November 2003, the company was taken over by railway infrastructure company WA Developments. The haulage firm then merged with Westbury Property Fund Limited to form the Stobart Group, which is now listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Eddie Stobart stepped down as chief executive of the company, to be replaced by another Stobart - his brother William, who had been operations director before joining WA.
William's co-partner at WA, Andrew Tinkler, joined the haulier as chief executive.
The firm, which began operating a rail freight service last year, runs a lucrative fan club with a range of toys and T-shirts. There is even an animated TV series featuring Steady Eddie.

MP's freight tax

MP's freight tax to cut A14 jams

The MP says there needs to be an alternative to roadsLorries using the A14 could be charged for every mile they travel under a proposal by an MP to get freight off roads and onto the railways.
David Howarth, MP for Cambridge, said the move would ease congestion on the road between Felixstowe in Suffolk and the M6 in the Midlands.
The Road Haulage Association, which represents lorry operators, said HGVs were not the cause of the problem.
Mr Howarth said: "We need to persuade companies to send freight by rail."
He said: "The government failed to back a bid for European funding for the Felixstowe to Nuneaton rail scheme.
Better rail services
"This scheme is essential to provide a real alternative to the A14 for freight.
"The tax would also mean investment in better rail services for both passengers and freight."
Martin Dean, from the Road Haulage Association, said lorry drivers were not the problem.
He said: "Cars travel 44.8 billion kilometres on rural trunk roads like the A14, compared with 5.6 billion kilometres for all goods vehicles.
"The number of cars will increase by 5.7% by 2101, compared with 0.9% growth of all goods vehicles."

Bankrupt firm's fleet auctioned

All of Reid Transport's vehicles are being sold at auctionThe vehicles of a County Antrim haulage company, which went bankrupt with the loss of 200 jobs, have been sold.
Reid Transport Ltd called in PricewaterhouseCoopers to act as administrators last month after attempts to sell the company failed.
The firm's fleet of more than 50 lorries and trucks was sold at public auction on Tuesday.
Following some controversy, staff who lost their jobs have now received money they were owed in unpaid wages.
Workers blockaded the company's Cloughmills headquarters last month over fears they would not be paid.
The dispute was brought to an end when PricewaterhouseCoopers said the 200 staff would get the money before Christmas.
A spokesperson for the ex-employees said on Monday they had been paid.
Police have also been called in to investigate employment practices at the company after a 14-year-old boy said he had worked night shifts at the company's Cloughmills headquarters.