ANYVAN

Diesel £100 A Tank

neil — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:56:49 +0000

When the media bang on about the cost of filling the tank of an average family car with diesel having now reached the £100 mark, think what that means for the commercial sector says the courier team at Anyvan.

The courier team have said that the rising price of fuel is one of the major factors holding back future growth of many removals companies, but little is being done to help.

The writer of this blog once watched an average size lorry fill its diesel tanks whilst filling his own car. I topped out at £40; the lorry driver was still going way past £500. Okay, a lorry is a lorry and yes, they do have large fuel tanks. But how a business is continually meant to cope with one of it’s key costs forever rising, is beyond the comprehension of many owners and managers.

It’s a problem throughout the European transport system of course, but it does not bode well for the recovery. An economy coming out of recession will increase demand for commodities such as oil, so prices will rise as things get better. But the imbalance between the delayed results of a recovery (more business, greater revenues) and the immediate increased costs (such as fuel price jumps), can damage the very recovery itself.

Diesel is now around 144 pence a litre, around 30 pence more than two years ago. Experts reckon it will soon hit 150 pence a litre and when oil jumps again because of genuine increased demand (and not one ‘invented’ by the commodity brokers), who says it will not rise to 175 pence, or even 200 pence?

At those levels, businesses will be suffering and the recovery could stall.

Sweeney Todd – Flying Squad

neil — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:10:19 +0000

If you were watching BBC2 on Sunday night, you were having a real treat reckons the courier team at Anyvan. Not only were the Top Gear crew of Clarkson and Hammond helping out the Sweeney crew of Winstone and Plan B, but then there’s this Brit train driver who takes on one of the most dangerous railway tracks in the world.

Now that, reckons the Anyvan courier crew, was sheer entertainment. The Top Gear boys might not be to everyone’s taste of course, but seeing Clarkson and Hammond try to film a car chase for the new Sweeney film, which stars Winstone and Plan B as Regan and Carter, was simply hilarious. Okay, it’s staged and okay, the show has little to do with road testing cars these days, and even less to do with removal companies, but this was amazingly good fun.

Then, when wiping the tears of joy away from your face, up comes an unassuming programme – fly on the wall/reality documentary type – which is about people swapping their job for one in a far off world.

And last Sunday was about an unassuming British train driver who handles one of the most sophisticated UK passenger trains, the Class 390 Pendolino, who stays for a week with a Peruvian train driver who works on the world’s highest, and one of the most dangerous, railways, The Ferrocarril Central Andino

The Brit is given one week before he descends down the mountain, driving a hugely powerful locamotive, pulling tonnes of mineral ore, which all want to derail at any moment, or crash down the sheer drops.

Watching that, makes you realise just how safe the European transport system actually is.

So well done BBC2 – a classic night of TV.

Severe Weather Warnings

neil — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:28:10 +0000

The courier team at Anyvan says the bad weather experienced during the week is likely to continue over the weekend and into Monday and Tuesday.

Parts of the UK have been hit by heavy snow and then ice, causing a large number of crashes on the roads says the courier team. Delivery companies have already curtailed many journeys until the bad weather passes.

Met office ‘amber’ warnings will stay in place for some days yet say the forecasters. Amber is the organisation’s second highest level of weather threat.

The county with the most snow has been Lincolnshire which saw three inches fall and a village in Norfolk gets the distinction of having recorded the lowest temperature, at minus seven degrees Celsius.

Ice remains the biggest threat to the UK roads, as it does across many parts of the European transport system. In central and eastern Europe, temperatures have plummeted to -30C as the countries struggle to cope.

The northern parts of the UK have been experiencing freak ice conditions with rain, that should be snow, falling on frozen roads and creating an ice-rink. In one day alone, there were hundreds of crashes as drivers fought to keep their cars going in a straight line. Emergency services were kept busy with the number of accidents and incidents.

Motoring organisations are again warning drivers of both private and commercial vehicles to ensure that they have the right kit in their car to cope with the bad conditions. This includes warm clothing, emergency food and drink, and a spade.

Freeze to Last One Month

neil — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:47:23 +0000

Be careful out there says the courier services team at Anyvan! Ice is a major problem for the next few days as the weekend snow melts and then freezes, creating ice rinks.

What’s more, the courier services team also reads, courtesy of some of the more sensational tabloids, that the big freeze could last up to a month.

It was a nightmare weekend for many UK drivers and delivery companies are amongst those that have been severely affected. And it’s not just the UK which is being affected; large parts of the European transport system have also ground to a halt, with some parts of eastern Europe experiencing minus 30 degrees Celsius.

As motorists woke up for the commute today, there were nine Met Office severe weather warnings in place for England and Wales.

There have been numerous accidents and widespread disruption. Already a huge 25-mile section of the A1 in North Yorkshire has been closed, mainly because of a large number of accidents around the York and Catterick areas.

As well as the roads, the UK’s airports were also hit, as were the railways. Around a third of flights were cancelled in the south of the country and many rail services were also cancelled, or delayed.

Motoring organisations were again warning private and commercial drivers that they should check their intended route before venturing out, and to ensure that they have warm clothes, blankets, emergency drinks and food, and, of course enough fuel in the car.

Few people will welcome the news that the big freeze could last for another month yet.

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Freezing conditions hit the UK. Need something delivering cheaply in UK, or Europe? Save up to 75% with Anyvan.

Top Gear Boys Back in Town

neil — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:15:45 +0000

The Top Gear boys are back in town and love them, or hate them, the Anyvan courier services team says that they are good value for money.

It’s one of the BBC’s top earners, generating millions worldwide, which might go some way to explaining why the daring trio of Clarkson, May and Hammond get away with so much reckons the courier services team.

The BBC might have to end up apologising to the Mexican and Indian Ambassadors, but the mixture of vehicle news, stunts and sheer tomfoolery is a winning formula.

It’s not to everyone’s taste – remember Clarkson’s monologue about lorry drivers, although it’s doubtful anyone within the delivery companies fraternity had a real problem with the leg pull – and there’s always the off button on the TV.

In their return, the trio appeared to limit the insults (unless of course you are Italian, or come from Leicester) and focus on a bit of genuine car testing.

And say what you like about their stunts being too staged, taking a supercar up to its performance levels (plus 200 mph) does takes some nerve. A tyre burst at that speed would see the car and driver spread liberally across the track like think strawberry jam. Few of us have had the chance of driving a supercar, nevermind driving one at its limits. From the look of it, you need to be wearing you brown corduroys.

So, here’s to the new series and although let’s hope they don’t poke too much fun at the courier industry, quite a few fans will be looking forward to Sunday evenings again.

Ice and Oil

neil — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:05:29 +0000

The courier services team at Anyvan reckons we’re in for a bumpy few weeks as the winter weather is about to hit say forecasters and the experts reckon that fuel prices might go north for a bit as well.

It’s not what the courier services team likes to read over their cornflakes, as snow and ice makes driving treacherous and usually brings the country to a grinding stop. It makes life difficult for delivery companies and private motorists right across the European transport network, disrupting trade and commerce.

Forecasters say that the bad conditions will last for about four weeks, until we can all look for the welcome signs of Spring. At least the bad weather missed Christmas, saving many retailers and companies from a disastrous trading period.

And whilst we’re coping with the snow, we have to contend with one of the UK’s biggest oil refineries shutting up shop (let’s hope that they can find a buyer) and fears about around 40% of the world’s oil supplies getting stuck in the straits of Hormuz.

Funny, how even in a deep economic downturn, the oil price can be sent spiralling upwards, when you would normally expect at least relief at the pumps.

Do you ever get the feeling the oil traders are like a casino; they rig the house so that no matter what happens, they win?

The Government has consistently refused any thoughts of fuel price caps and if they kick off again over in the Middle East, then you can kiss goodbye to any help at the pumps.

Okay, so see you in March then!

Tanker Vehicle Drives Into House

neil — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:31:24 +0000

The courier services team at Anyvan reckons this is one of those calls that any delivery companies boss would not want to receive.

Getting news that one of your drivers had just driven his fuel tanker into the home of a woman he knew would crimp any bosses day, thinks the courier services team.

The tanker vehicle did extensive damage to the house which set on fire, but the woman inside escaped injury.

The incident happened in Wool, Dorset, and rather than being just an unfortunate accident, it turns out the driver is suspected of deliberately driving his vehicle into the property and trying to murder the owner, a woman known to him. Further details were not released about the identity of the owner, or her relationship to the driver.

The 51-year-old driver, who’s from Somerset, fled the scene of the incident, but has since been arrested by police on suspicion of attempted murder.

The tanker vehicle crashed through the front of the bungalow and the resulting fire – which was brought under control by six fire engines and 30 firemen – scorched through the property towards the rear garden.

The fire service responded in force given the involvement of a fuel tanker, which was initially lodged into the front of the bungalow, before being pulled back across the front lawn.

It was thought a car transporters company was contacted in case the tanker needed to be towed back to its base in Brinkworth.

It belongs to a company, originally formed in 1957 with just one vehicle, which now has nearly 300 tankers spread throughout 40 UK depots.

Del Boy Rides Again, or Not!

neil — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:42:37 +0000

Right, cue Only Horses And Horses music and get your mind on their three-wheeler car which Del Boy and Rodney had so much fun in, because the three wheeler is making a comeback says the courier team at Anyvan.

Well, no actually admits the courier team, it’s not the three wheel Robin Reliant made famous by the Trotter family of Peckham, but one of the few truly British car makers Morgan which is saying that the three wheeler is securing record orders.

Worcestershire Morgan, which makes a range of traditional style sports cars and roadsters, announces that it has had a record start to 2012 in terms of orders, which includes nearly 1,000 of its new three wheeled model.

Car transport companies love ferrying Morgan cars around to customers, so it will good news for all concerned.

Morgan, which is based in the town of Malvern, reports that many of the orders are from new markets, including India and China. The company was also looking for new export markets.

Morgan will produce around ten to 15 three wheelers a week and the new model, which might become a regular sight on the European transport system, is said to be inspired by a classic three-wheeler from the company’s past. This had won the French Grand Prix in 1913 and had been in production from the turn of the 20th Century to the late 1950s.

The Morgan success reflects optimism from other UK manufacturers which has seen business levels picking over the last year, with production growing by nearly 6%.

To Boldly Go and Reduce Road Congestion

neil — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:51:21 +0000

Captain James T Kirk might wonder at just what space technology has got to do with space congestion says the Anyvan courier services team, but a project worth £2.5 million is about to launch at the National Space Centre in Leicester with that very aim.

The courier services team reads that the project is all about taking technology designed for the space programme and use it to develop traffic managements systems. The idea is that the more research that can be carried out to relieve traffic at key European transport hubs, will ultimately reduce pollution and dramatically improve the urban environment.

The scheme, which is funded by Europe, will be carried out at the National Space Centre and the research gathering and data collection will be monitored by Leicester University. The results will eventually lead to long term benefits for delivery companies, as well as private motorists.

Leading the project is Professor Alan Wells, who said:
“The scientific teams at the heart of the project will be working closely with the bodies responsible for managing traffic, transport and air quality in the UK and European regions to explore how this research can be of value to them.”

The research project will last for three years and carries the full title of Transport Health Environment — Intelligent Solutions Sustaining Urban Economies (THE ISSUE).

Research data from key locations will form the core of the project. The locations include the Midi-Pyrenees and Aquitaine regions in France and Molise in Italy.

Let’s hope the research scientists don’t have to learn Klingon!

Hammersmith Flyover Partially Re-Opened

neil — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:40:24 +0000

Phew, says the courier services team at Anyvan, at least the Hammersmith flyover has partially been re-opened.

The courier services team ran a story a few days ago about the chaos caused in that part of West London and at that time, there was talk of it being closed for some considerable time.

But, happily, it has been re-opened with one lane of traffic each way. Only cars will be allowed to use the bridge and heavy goods vehicles remain banned. This will cause dismay to the courier companies who use the bridge as a main linking route.

But, one lane does not mean much relief to the terrible congestion the area has been experiencing and drivers are still advised to stay away. Courier traffic will still find it hard going throughout the area.

Transport for London is co-ordinating the work and closed the bridge originally because engineers found that metal rods within the concrete designed to give the structure strength had been gradually eroded over the years by salt water.

The bridge has caused TfL huge embarrassment because the flyover is part of the main A4 artery which serves London and is in effect an extension of the M4 which joins the capital to Heathrow.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, told the Press Association:
“… the Hammersmith Flyover should not be closed for one minute longer than it has to be and this partial reopening will provide some relief for the thousands of motorists and local people whose lives have been disrupted.”

Full service should be resumed by the Olympics says TfL.