The Van Drivers' Manifesto | Motoring Issues - Car News Jun 2017

MOTORING ISSUES
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16:24 Wednesday 28 Jun 2017

Mercedes-Benz Vans have sent a message to the new Government of what issues the UK’s van drivers, owners, and operators want them to tackle as part of transport policy.

While the Government is at pains to tell us there is no ‘magic money tree’ – at least not on this side of the Irish Sea – the nation’s van drivers/owners are demanding more be spent addressing the shocking state of our pot-holed roads. Of the 2,000 surveyed, two thirds of respondents have sustained vehicle damage from potholes in the past year, with an average repair cost of £411, while nearly one-in-ten has had to spend over £1,000 to rectify damage caused by poor road conditions. The financial impact felt by small businesses comes not only from repair costs, but from lost time while the van is in for repair.

Pothole repair was the top priority of 60% of respondents. This was followed by better parking provision in towns (43%), investment in bypasses (34%), widening motorways (24%), and increased traffic police presence (19%).

Congestion is clearly is big concern for van drivers/owners, with delivery drivers saying that, on average, they lose 15% of their working day to congestion. That figure similarly high amongst tradespeople (losing 12% of their working day) and service engineers (13%). Despite its well established Congestion Zone, lost time as a result of congestion is most pronounced in Greater London, where 16% of a working day is lost to congestion, according to the Mercedes-Benz Vans survey. The effect can have a damaging financial impact on self-employed tradespeople and businesses, with 61% of respondents reporting that they, or the company they work for, has lost business or customers as a direct result of congestion.

Steve Bridge, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Ltd, commented: “With almost 4.2 million van drivers on our roads – around one in 10 of all vehicles on our highways – the voice of this important group of motorists needs to be heard. Our research clearly highlights that potholes and congestion actually cost these hard-working business men and women serious amounts of money, both in repair bills and time lost, which isn’t acceptable.

“We are urging van drivers therefore, to report any potholes they come across to the local council – while it may seem time-consuming, there are a number of ways to do this online and via apps to help alert to and ultimately fix the issue.”

Peter Roger, Head of Driving Advice, IAM Institute of Advanced Motoring, added: “Britain’s economy is driven by van drivers – all those home deliveries are an important part of the issue with vans also taking the wide range of tradespeople we all rely on to work wherever they are needed, carrying their tools, equipment and supplies with them. Smooth operation of the economy needs smooth roads. We are ready to help the drivers with training, but the economy needs roads fit for use by all – and that includes the vital part played by van drivers.”

 

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