Month: December 2024

Dear Valued customer

As the holiday season approaches, we wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued partnership and support throughout the year.

May your Christmas be filled with joy, laughter, and cherished moments with loved ones. We look forward to working with you in the coming year and wish you a prosperous and successful 2025.

Please enjoy our e-card using the link below

http://crd.ecards4christmas.co.uk/d0b4fce2/clear/1031925658.php

Warmest wishes,

The team at Southgate and Finchley Coaches

PS a gentle reminder of our charity fundraiser next Friday, see attached for details.

Last night, 16th December 2024, UKCOA Managing Director, Peter Bradley had the privilege of speaking at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Bus and Coach.  This Group brings together parliamentarians and Industry stakeholders to discuss key issues, drive initiatives and champion the growth and survival of our sector.

We are proud to play an active role in shaping the future of our industry and ensuring that coaches remain a vital part of the UK’s transport network.

(L-R) APPG Co-Chair Lord Peter Snape, Peter Bradley, Claire Walters – Bus Users UK Chief Executive and Louise Cheeseman – Chair of Women in Bus and Coach.

With cross-channel bookings surging in the lead-up to Christmas, the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF) has confirmed the deployment of Operation Brock on the M20 for a limited period.

The contraflow system will be in place on the London-bound carriageway between Junctions 8 and 9 and started overnight on Sunday 15 December, continuing until Sunday 22 December. The contraflow will enable lorries to be held on the coast-bound carriageway if the Dover TAP queuing system on the A20 becomes full.

Cross-channel operators, including the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel, expect their peak traffic days to fall on 19, 20, and 21 December, coinciding with school holidays and hauliers returning to the continent ahead of Christmas. Potential bad weather during this period could further contribute to delays.

To prevent disruption, a permit scheme trialled successfully in the summer will also be reinstated. Under this system, HGVs heading to the Port of Dover will require a valid permit. Without one, access to the port will be denied.

The KMRF will monitor traffic levels 24/7 during this period, with support from Kent County Council, emergency services, and traffic officers in Dover.

Kind regards

Stephen Spendley-Director of Operations

UK Coach Operators Association- 07990 049832

We urgently need your support to oppose Oxfordshire County Council’s proposed Traffic Regulation Orders that will restrict coach access in Burford. These changes, which include banning coaches over 12 metres in length from Priory Lane and removing essential coach parking facilities, will have a devastating impact on the coach industry, local businesses, and the wider community.

This proposal sets a dangerous precedent for coach access across the country. If local authorities see that restrictions of this nature can be implemented without significant opposition, we could face similar measures in other towns and cities, further limiting our ability to operate effectively and the ramifications of this could be far-reaching.

Why This Matters to You

These proposals will:

• Severely restrict group tourism in Burford, reducing demand for coach services.
• Harm local businesses, threatening jobs, and the economy in the area.
• Increase car traffic, congestion, and environmental harm, while creating operational challenges for coach operators.
• Set a dangerous precedent for similar restrictions elsewhere, affecting your operations more broadly.

How You Can Help

We need your voice to ensure the Council understands the serious consequences of these changes. Submitting an objection is quick and easy, and we have prepared a template to guide you.

Objection to Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders in Burford

How to Submit Your Objection

1. Email your objection to: [email protected].
2. Alternatively, send it in writing to:
   Traffic Regulation Order & Schemes (Ref: CM/12.6.149/P0289)
   Director of Environment & Highways
   Oxfordshire County Council
   County Hall
   New Road
   Oxford, OX1 1ND

The deadline for objections is Friday, 3 January 2024.

Resources

• A customizable objection template is attached to this email for your convenience.
• Include any specific examples or experiences related to Burford to strengthen your case.

Act Now

We strongly encourage all UKCOA members to submit their objections and stand united against these harmful proposals. By acting collectively, we can make a real difference and protect access for coaches in Burford, ensuring the continued success of your business and our industry.

If you have any questions or need assistance with your objection, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or call us on 0333 7333 222.

Thank you for your support in this critical matter.

Stephen Spendley-Director of Operations

UK Coach Operators Association

07990 049832

Reforms to Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) have come into effect today (Tuesday 3 December). Changes include:
• introducing a National Driver CPC that will cover driving a lorry, bus or coach in the UK
• allowing training courses to be done in blocks of 3.5 hours, rather than the previous 7 hours, to allow greater flexibility
• decoupling e-learning from trainer led courses
The guidance on how the reforms affect drivers has been updated, look on their website: https://www.gov.uk/

The measure to speed up the process for drivers to return to driving a lorry of bus coach in the UK if their Driver CPC has expired will come into effect on 1 February 2025.
Finding National Driver CPC courses
Over 200 National training courses have been approved and added to the list of available Driver CPC training courses. You will now be able to search by National and International courses.
Introducing a periodic test
The results from the 2023 consultation on introduction of a test were mixed and DfT will continue to keep under review the possibility of the introduction of a periodic test.
The dedicated page on the Driver CPC reforms is available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/

From Wednesday 4 December 2024 roadworks will be taking place on Belvedere Road between the railway bridge and Upper Ground slip roads. This will consist of temporary traffic lights past the worksite. Works are expected to be in place until May 2025.

There will be changes to some tour bus stopping and standing arrangements, but these have already been communicated to the relevant operator.
Coach parking for the London Eye remains open.

Lane restrictions at the Semley Place entrance with lane 4 closed

Closures will be from 08:00 Monday until 16:30 Friday each week with no restrictions at weekends. The last day of restriction is Friday 20 December 2024.