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South Yorkshire ECO Stars Newsletter Issue 9 - May 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||
New Members |
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Welcome to the latest ECO Stars scheme members:
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South Yorkshire hits 50! |
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DHL manages the fleet operations of B&Q’s distribution centres in Doncaster and Worksop serving stores across South Yorkshire as well as the North East and the East of England. B&Q in partnership with DHL were awarded the highest 5 star rating reflecting the high standards they have achieved, particularly an impressive fuel management programme. Annual driver assessments are supplemented with constant monitoring using in-cab telematics, which is reviewed on a weekly basis to make constant improvements. They have also invested in routing and scheduling software to minimise vehicle mileage. Nigel Willott, DHL’s National Transport Manager is pleased that their focus on fleet performance has been recognised. He said; “ECO Stars is a perfect fit with both DHL’s and B&Q’s environmental philosophies and business values of improving efficiency and reducing costs". Michelle Thomas of B&Q said; “We are pleased to become the 50th membership of ECO Stars in South Yorkshire, and very proud to have been awarded the highest possible rating from the outset. With a fleet travelling in excess of 5 million miles per year, every step we can take to reduce our fuel consumption and emissions benefits the local community”. The occasion was marked with the presentation of a plaque and specially commissioned star-shaped award to B&Q in partnership with DHL.
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ECO Stars Manager takes charge |
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Ann Beddoes from Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council has been officially appointed as the ECO Stars Scheme Manager.
Ann’s main priorities over the next two years are to develop initiatives which will pave the way for the long term sustainability of the ECO Stars scheme; oversee growth in the UK and EU, and continue to provide overall strategic management. One of Ann’s key tasks is to make sure that the ECO Stars scheme achieves what it set out to do in the first place. All four South Yorkshire local authorities have Air Quality Management Areas where pollution exceeds target levels – and they each have action plans designed to reduce emissions – ECO Stars is one of their key initiatives. The University of the West of England (UWE) carried out an evaluation of the ECO Stars Scheme in 2011. This recommended that the impact on air quality needed to be measured more effectively using better data collection and the development of a “Toolkit”. Now UWE has been commissioned by the ECO Stars Steering group to develop a method to assess the impact of the scheme on vehicle emissions. The work is planned to be finished in early July with the developed Toolkit piloted in South Yorkshire. Ann feels it is vital that the emission reduction benefits of the scheme are very clearly quantified. The true value of ECO Stars needs to be demonstrated not only to fleet operators and possible new members, but to potential new funding providers around the country. We will update scheme members on this work in future editions of the ECO Stars Newsletter.
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Operator Profile | |||||||||||||||||||
Cranleigh Freight Services - ECO Stars first Euro VI operator? |
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Based in Surrey, Cranleigh Freight Services offers a full range of transport services to Europe, nationwide UK pallet distribution and warehousing facilities. They also operate Direct Home Delivery, a 2-man, ‘White Glove’ service for the furniture, upholstery and the bedding market. Their European fleet operates between the UK and Western Europe – specialising in ‘just in time’ deliveries to and from Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands. These vehicles are fitted with “Fleetboard”: an engine, driver and fuel management system and GPS tracker. This allows fleet managers to track each truck and specify more economic routes. Performance levels including fuel efficiency, heavy breaking, idling time and over-revving can be monitored closely. Cranleigh Freight Services is now investigating fitting a similar system to their UK & Direct Home Delivery fleets, to reduce driving miles through a strategic planning approach. Becky Young, Group Sales and Marketing Manager says, “We are mindful of our impact on the environment and always look to utilise the most efficient and environmentally conscious equipment and practices”. She cites as an example how following a successful trial held during 2012 designed to improve ‘mpg’ Cranleigh Freight Services converted its whole fleet to Shell based lubricants. This resulted in an average improvement of 2%. “In December 2012, we were the proud recipient of the first DAF XF Euro VI tractor unit to grace UK roads. We look forward to measuring the performance of this latest advancement in large diesel engines” Jim Chappell, ECO Star Programme Manager said, “We think that Cranleigh Freight Services is the first ECO Stars member to operate a Euro VI vehicle, not only in South Yorkshire but all the other schemes". Following Cranleigh Freight Services’ total investment in vehicles, the ECO Stars team are reassessing the star rating of their fleet with a view to gain a 5 star rating in South Yorkshire and join other schemes in areas where they operate. |
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Flying Start to 2013 with 4 New Schemes | |||||||||||||||||||
It was a busy March for ECO Stars with new schemes launching in York, Thurrock, Nottinghamshire and Falkirk. |
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City's 'Future Transport' in York |
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Three members are pictured (to the left) receiving certificates with Cllr Tracey Simpson-Laing from City of York Council. |
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ECO Stars praised in Thurrock |
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Local Sustainable Transport Fund programme delivers ECO Stars in Nottingham |
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Stars in the Stadium in Falkirk |
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This brings the number of schemes in the UK to seven:
If you have a depot, or operate in these locations and would like to become a member of these ECO Stars schemes please call the ECO Stars Team on 01543 416416 or email ecostars@ttr-ltd.com.
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ECO Stars in the News |
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The importance of ECO Stars has been highlighted in the latest edition of the international magazine “Thinking Highways”. The article can be found on p36 of the March / April 2013 publication. Please click here for more information |
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ECO Stars Recruitment - Pass it On! |
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We’re always on the lookout for new members and are eager to develop road maps to help operators save money. Can you recommend a contact, a subcontractor or a supplier, who operates a vehicle fleet and that may benefit from joining the ECO Stars scheme? Pass on our contact details (T: 01543 416416 or E: ecostars@ttr-ltd.com) or directly make a recommendation to us and we will send you an exclusive ECO Stars mug. |