AA want toll barriers at Westlink lifted at peak times
The Automobile Association has called on National Toll Roads to raise the toll barriers at Dublin's Westlink Bridge during morning and evening peak traffic to alleviate the unacceptable levels of congestion.

AA Traffic and Eircell Vodafone launch new traffic initiative
AA traffic and Eircell Vodafone have joined forces to bring a new traffic alert service to beleaguered motorists.

Keep on trucking with AIB Finance and Leasing
Financing and upgrading a commercial fleet is one of the biggest overheads for any company, often putting a burden on cash flow. However, a modern commercial fleet is vital for most businesss, but particularly for those operating in the commercial haulage sector.

A mouth watering combination
Bondelivery has a customer portfolio of blue-chip companies that would make most hauliers’ mouths water. General manager, Val Smith revealed some of the secrets of the company’s ongoing success to John Loughran.

A Byrne-ing passion
Byrne Haulage and Storage is a fine example of a company that has grown and prospered by offering the customer that little bit extra that sets it apart from the competition. Owner David Byrne told John Loughran that going the extra mile can make all the difference.

King of all it surveys
The rise of Cargo King is one of the mid-west’s undoubted success stories over the last ten years. David Sheedy outlines Cargo King’s evolution since its foundation in 1985.

Cool for cats
Cat's Eyes have been voted numer one in a list of the 20th century’s greatest inventions in a survey commissioned by the Audi Design Foundation.

A natural match
Dennison Commercials and Volvo have had a long and fruitful relationship in Northern Ireland dating back more than 30 years. Dennison Commercials’ Sales Director Tom Gourley waxed lyrical about this enduring double act.

Unique ERF eight wheeler is the long and short of it
Halifax-based owner operator John Travis has replaced his ERF six wheeler with a unique maximum length 8x2 tag axle rigid from the same manufacturer.

FuelNet success
The Maxol FuelNet card, which was launched in August offering fleet operators a simple, efficient service by providing an easy-to-use solution to fuelling requirements, has entered the commercial diesel market with great success.

Girl gets £1.4 million compensation after collision with lorry
A 12-year-old girl from Athboy in Co Meath who sustained an "appalling" leg injury after she was struck by a truck has been awarded £1.4 million in the High Court.

New Heil Europe vans aims to reduce vehicle down-time
Heil Europe, the Dunfermline based refuse collection vehicle manufacturer, has recently enhanced its after sales service provision with the acquisition of a top of the range mobile repair unit. The 6.5 tonne Iveco Daily City Truck comprises a wide range of tools enabling vehicle servicing throughout the UK on a 24 hour a day basis.

IRHA call time on Directive
The Working Time Directive is a classic example of European bureaucrats trying to legislate from a point of ignorance. When it came into force for mainstream European workers some four years ago, the road transport industry, the airline industry and the medical profession were left outside the scope of the directive.

Thomas McLaughlin delighted with Metroswap system
Armagh based catering supplies specialist Thomas McLaughlin Ltd has reduced its delivery time in the Dublin area by introducing a Ray Smith Metroswap system which allows a number of small demountable van bodies to be transported on an articulated truck and trailer. The articulated truck hauls the pre-loaded demountable bodies from Armagh to Dublin, where it is met by three 7.5 tonne trucks. The transfer of the demountable bodies to the 7.5 tonne trucks takes just 20 minutes.

Minister to introduce legislation on roadworks
Public Enterprise Minister Mary O'Rourke is set to bring new legislation before the Dail to limit the activities of utility companies that dig up the streets of the capital to lay cables and pipes.

Naas says no to truck traffic
The bustling town of Naas in Co. Kildare was brought to standstill on Saturday 10th November when more than 300 demonstrators marched on the Town Hall to protest at the number of heavy goods vehicles passing through the town, writes John Loughran.

NRA approve toll charges on M4 motorway
The National Roads Authority has approved tolling for the proposed M4 Kinnegad-Enfield-Kilcock motorway, much to the chagrin of businesses and residents in the area.

Truckers won’t pay toll at Port Tunnel
Truckers using Dublin Port Tunnel will not be charged for the privilege when the tunnel is finally completed in September 2004.

Twelve Quays Terminal to open in the Spring
Norse Merchant’s move from its current berths in the Port of Liverpool to its new £25 million Twelve Quays River Terminal is on schedule for Spring 2002.

We have a road safety responsibility
Objectivity can go out the window in specialist magazines. It is all too easy to adopt a partisan approach. John Loughran left his rose tinted glasses at home when he penned this article on road safety.

A1 - Schmitz Cargobull packs it in for Ford
Ford of Europe has developed a versatile communications vehicle based around the new generation Ford Transit van. The one-of-a-kind £100,000 mobile unit can be used to receive satellite TV broadcasts, edit video, host video conferencing and even broadcast radio transmissions via a land-line or the on-board satellite phone. The Transit was supplied for its unique role by A1-Schmitz Cargobull.

Sign of the times
Speed limit signs in Ireland can best be described as erratic and confusing. However, the problem is not peculiar to these shores.

Toughline Manufacturer Ltd win contract to supply 62 trailers
Naas based Toughline Manufacturing Ltd has recently completed a contract to supply Tesco Ireland with 42 road trailers. The contract follows a previous order for 20 similar Toughline trailers and completes a £1.65million supply contract. The Curtainsider triaxle trailers will form part of the Tesco Ireland fleet responsible for distribution products from depots in Tallaght and Ballymount to all 77 Tesco Ireland stores around the country.

VAT fraudsters target Michelin truck tyres in Europe
Michelin has warned customers and distributors to be wary when offered truck tyres at extraordinarily low prices. Michelin is working with police and customs authorities in Europe as it appears that these low prices can only be the result of illegal activities believed to be VAT fraud.

Moving Mountains
White Mountain Quarries, part of the Lagan Group was established in 1960 on the outskirts of Belfast. The names White Mountain and Lagan have been synonymous with the quarrying and construction industries ever since. Plant and Transport Manager Brendan Beggan gave John Loughran the guided tour.