Maintenance investigations assessment guidance is being updated

Following feedback, the Maintenance Investigation Visit Reports (MIVR), which DVSA carries out to ensure operators have the right systems and facilities in place to maintain their vehicles, are changing.

The MIVR assessment guides are being combined and updated to reflect this. The guides are used by DVSA staff to help them complete the report during a site visit. These reports can be given to the Traffic Commissioners if the operator’s systems or facilities are not good enough.

Operators will always receive a copy of these reports, along with other feedback to help them improve if necessary.

There are some updates to what DVSA will be checking on MIVR visits, some of them include:

  • clear evidence walkaround checks are not carried out
  • vehicles being used with reported safety defects
  • clear evidence of poor maintenance standards resulting in safety-critical defects
  • deliberately modified emissions control systems or removal of the manufacturers emissions plate values
  • clear evidence of a tyre manufactures date code being modified or removed
  • there is no genuine link between the transport manager and the operation

DVSA recommends operators read about the changes to ensure they stay compliant.

The guide for operators on MIVR includes helpful links on improving your maintenance systems.

HGV and PSV inspection manuals have been updated

Updated HGV and PSV manuals were published on 11 April 2022.

You can read the updated HGV and PSV manuals on the gov.uk website.

The changes come into effect from 1 May. The DVSA is contacting operators now to make them aware and give them time to prepare their vehicles for their annual test.

The main changes are:

  • definition of front steering axle added to the interpretation of terms section
  • mandatory requirement to advise when an assessor is not able to see the age markings for twin wheel fitments has been removed
  • the anti-roll bar section has been merged with the general suspension section
  • additional Braking Device deficiencies for wiring have been amended to remove duplication with Electrical Wiring and Equipment
  • clarification notes added to the Direction Indicators section on combined side indicators and side marker lamps fitted to a vehicle or trailer
  • section 72 has been updated to give guidance on secondary brake alterative split options

Other changes have been made and are explained in detail at the beginning of the manual in the ‘Revision of Record’ section.

Coach Engine Idling

Westminster City Council approached the UKCOA at the end of March over coach engine idling. It was a specific issue involving three coaches all run by different operators. However, it came with a warning. ‘Please ask your members and all coach operators to switch off their engines when they are parked or stationary for any length of time. Otherwise, you risk losing further coach facilities in London’.

For more information please see Managing Director Peter Bradley’s latest article in Bus and Coach Buyer.

Heathrow Terminal 4 to Reopen 14 June

Heathrow is targeting a reopening date of 14 June. The remobilisation of Terminal 4 will be gradual, with Qatar Airways returning to its home terminal first. They will be joined by several other Terminal 4 carriers, including Etihad, Air Malta and El Al in the following days and weeks.

Over the coming months, Heathrow will be working to prepare for the full return of Terminal 4 in the summer.

More details will be shared as they become available.

You can read the full statement from Heathrow here.

 

Coach Parking on Park Lane

Coach parking to be reinstated on Park Lane.

TfL introduced a new road scheme on Park Lane, including the removal of coach parking, as an emergency response to the coronavirus.

In response to feedback TfL are planning the following changes to their scheme, with construction due to start in the coming months.

  • New bus lane between Hyde Park Corner and South Carriage Drive, which will replace the loss of the right lane
  • Reinstate coach parking between the cycle lane and the bus lane between Curzon Gate and Grosvenor Gate
  • The pedestrian crossing at Stanhope gate will be converted to a toucan crossing, which can be used by both pedestrians and cyclists.  The new crossing will allow cyclists to continue their journeys to/from Mayfair
  • Relaying the pavement surfacing around the back of the car park where cyclists are directed
  • Signage to be provided to direct cyclists along the route

TfL will continue to monitor the scheme with consultation taking place in the summer. Full details can be seen on the TfL website.

Victoria Coach Station

It has come to TfL’s attention recently that some coaches have been attempting u-turns on the section of Buckingham Palace Road between Semely Place and Ebury Bridge Road.

This section of road is not suitable for u-turns with a large vehicle and there have been instances of vehicles colliding with kerbside infrastructure.

TfL are asking drivers who want to turn their vehicle in this area to do so at Sloane Square.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

From Monday 14 March until Friday 1 April 2022, the drivers’ restroom in the VCS departures terminal will be closed for refurbishment works.

No temporary facilities have been provided however, drivers can continue to use public areas of the coach station.

 

 

Belvedere Road and Chicheley Street, Road Closures and Restrictions from 14 March

To allow for various road works to take place on both Belvedere Road and Chicheley Street road closures and restrictions will take place as follows from Monday 14 March 2022:

Monday 14 March to Monday 18 April 2022

Coaches and tour buses will only be able to access the area in a clockwise route entering at York Road and exiting from the Concert Hall Approach junction. Tour bus stands and most coach parking will be open.

Tuesday 19 April to Saturday 23 April 2022
Monday 25 April to Friday 13 May 2022

No access to tour buses or coaches in either direction between the York Road and Concert Hall Approach junctions.

  • Tour buses: services should use the tour bus stop on York Road northbound (outside M&S). An alternative stand is being sought and will be advised separately
  • Coaches: can drop of on TLRN bus stops on York Road but must not park or wait

Overnight works 20:00 to 05:00
Nights of 8, 9, 13, 14, 15 and 16 June 2022

No access to tour buses or coaches in either direction between the York Road and concert Hall Approach junctions

  • Tour buses: services should use the tour bus stop on York Road northbound (outside M&S).
  • Coaches: can drop of on TLRN buses stops on York Road but must not park or wait

A40 Westway – Weekend Closures 11 March until June 2022

From Friday 11 March until June 2022, weekend closures of the A40 Westway will change to affect westbound traffic.

Since November 2021 essential maintenance has been ongoing with weekend and overnight closures to the eastbound carriageway. The next phase of work sees a switch to the other side of the carriageway and those travelling eastbound will be able to use the A40 Westway as normal.

To minimise disruption, the Westway will be open in both directions during peak times Monday to Friday, but will be limited to two lanes of traffic.

Westbound closures take place:

  • 22:00 Friday 11 March to 05:00 on Monday 14 March
  • 22:00 Friday 18 March to 05:00 on Monday 21 March
  • 22:00 Friday 25 March to 05:00 on Monday 28 March
  • 22:00 Friday 1 April to 05:00 on Monday 4 April
  • 22:00 Friday 8 April to 05:00 on Monday 11 April
  • 22:00 Friday 22 April to 05:00 on Monday 25 April
  • 22:00 Friday 6 May to 05:00 on Monday 9 May
  • 22:00 Friday 13 May to 05:00 on Monday 16 May
  • 22:00 Friday 20 May to 05:00 on Monday 23 May

While each closure is in place, local routes and the official diversion route are expected to be busy and long delays are likely. TfL is asking drivers to plan ahead and use routes such as the A4 and A41 or use the A406 for alternative ways out of London.

There will be no works over Easter, on the weekend of Friday 29 April, or during the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations in early June. Additional overnight or weekend closures later in June may be required to complete the work.

For the full programme and more detail, you can visit TfL’s travel advice page