Construction News

Thu March 28 2024

Related Information

Crossrail safety standards impact across haulage industry

7 May 13 Managers on London’s Crossrail construction project are claiming credit for making lorries safer across the UK.

Crossrail says that its safety requirements for any HGV working on the project is leading to widespread change in the UK haulage industry as vehicles are fitted with new safety equipment to alert drivers to the proximity of vulnerable road users.

Crossrail’s contract requirements have led to thousands of HGVs working on the project to be fitted with sensors and cameras at an average cost of around £1,250.

Crossrail requires all HGVs delivering to its worksites to have cycle safety equipment and for regular drivers to undergo a one day intensive training course regarding vulnerable road users. Lorries are inspected when arriving at site to ensure the required safety equipment is fitted and in working order.

Crossrail requirements include that HGVs are fitted with Fresnel lenses or cameras, blind spot detection equipment which warns the driver when a cyclist is in the near-side blind spot and under-run guards to prevent cyclists from coming into contact with lorry wheels. Vehicles must also carry warning signs to alert cyclists and pedestrians of the risks they face by getting too close to HGVs.

Related Information

Crossrail requires inspections of all vehicles when they arrive at site to ensure that the required safety equipment is working. Checks are made to ensure that left turn alarms are working as well as blind spot detection systems

Crossrail chief executive Andrew Wolstenholme said: “Crossrail requires all vehicles working on the project to have designated safety equipment installed to help protect vulnerable road users. The haulage and construction industry has invested millions in new safety equipment to meet Crossrail’s safety requirements for HGVs. The benefits are not just confined to London as the majority of HGVs delivering to Crossrail sites also deliver to locations in towns and cities across the UK. The impact of this initiative is clearly demonstrated by organisations in both the private and public sectors now adopting these important safety standards.”

More than 4,700 drivers have completed Crossrail’s lorry driver training course.

Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk

MPU
MPU

Click here to view latest construction news »