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During discussions with the Highways Agency at Buckingham Palace Road, London in July 2010, RRRA requested clarification of the recently advertised RHA Hotkey Pilot and its introduction into the Regional Control Centres. 

Whilst this is a pilot for the RHA, it was made clear that this is not a new system integrated in the RCC's but inclusion to an existing facility. 

The Contract Manager & Team Leader for Network Operations Central, Service & Development explained to the meeting delegates that the Hotkey facility had in fact been operational since inception; the AA and RAC to name a few have been and are still utilising this facility.

This was followed by an invitation to attend one of the Regional Control Centres.

Following a meeting between Business Link and your Executive Officer this week; the following information has been provided which may be of interest to your company.

We would strongly suggest you call Business Link on 0845 600 9006 or view the Business Link website, there is currently still funding available in specific areas.  This funding can be obtained for your staff or management team to address issues of further development.  

Funding is still available in some geographical areas for IT courses ie Excel, Accounting, Publishing, Payroll, and other Microsoft programmes.  You may also be able to access Management Team Development Funding - which addresses areas that will progress your business needs - really anything that your company does and where you feel additional training would be useful.  Business Link provide a wide range of services, your advisor will be able to guide you with expert knowledge of various opportunities of which you may not be aware.

Each Business Link sub-area has its own allocated funding which may not be the same as the next sub-area, find out what is available NOW as reviews on funding are taking place.

We would recommend each member make contact - whatever your area, future funding in 2011 may well be very limited.

From 1 January 2007 the exemption for drivers of vehicels less than 3.5 tonnes expires.  From this date drivers of all vehicles that carry dangerous goods will be required to hold a vocational training certificate - ADR.

Exemptions:  Breakdown Vehicles.

When a vehicle carrying dangerous goods breaks down or is involved in an RTC, it may have to be recovered by a towing vehicle.  If it is supervised by the emergency services (usually the Police), ADR exemption 1.1.3.1.(d) applies.

ADR exemption 1.1.3.1.(d) reads:

The carriage undertaken by or under the supervision of the emergency services, insofar as such carriage is necessary in relation to the emergency response, in particular carriage undertaken by breakdown vehicles carrying vehicles which have been involved in accidents or have broken down and contain dangerous goods; or to contain and recover the dangerous goods involved in an incident or accident and move them to a safe place.

Otherwise, a new "transport unit" will be formed, and the regulations will apply conventionally.  The towing vehicle or low loader (as the case may be) should carry the front orange plate and the driver be appropriately trained (although it would be acceptable for the original driver to travel where that is possible).

If those conditions cannot be met, the vehicle should be moved the minimum distance to a safe place pending proper arrangements being made.  This could be as directed or supervised by a police offers.

Carriers seeking to arrange recovery of their own vehicles should ensure that the recovery agent has suitably qualified staff to recover vehicles carrying dangerous goods.

Following a recent meeting with Simon Jones from the AA, they have confirmed that they will be using the Turbo Exchange route to dispatch and receive jobs.

For more information on Turbo Exchange go to:

http://www.turboexchange.net/Developers_Area/UK_Clubs_Switchover_Strategy

Their aim is to be up and running as early in July as they can.

Garages should have the option of receiving work from them via MAN numbers with the 3, 6 or 9 prefixes as required or as dictated by Transcomm, and those that wish to return to telephone or fax deployment methods can use that option with them as well.

For all of Phase 1 customers, Simon has said these garages should speak to their AA Supplier Network Manager, if they want to amend their contract information for receiving work from them.

PHASE 1 SHUT DOWN ON 1 JULY 2010

As the time has now passed for the cut off of your local mast, you have the following options to use.

Transcomm are offering a short term solution of an IAS internet link to continue getting work from your supplier.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THIS OPTION IS ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL 30 SEPTEMBER 2011, WHEN TRANSCOMM WILL TURN THIS SERVICE OFF.

OPTION 1

Up front payment of £300 plus £50 per month, all plus VAT - with a 3 month notice period.

OPTION 2

No up front payment however a monthly fee of £65 plus VAT - tied in for a minimum of 12 months.

OPTION 3

You can choose to go back to receiving your work via the telephone or fax.

You can contact your supplier of work (clubs) and inform them which way you wish to take.

UPDATED CLUB INFORMATION ON TURBO EXCHANGE

2 Assist                    9691471    Online
AA                            Confirmed 7 June 2010, aim to be fully in place by early  July 2010.
AXA                          TBA.   Online.   Testing.
Call Assist                9064445    Online.
CARE                        9999486    Online.
Equity Red Star        Turbo Exchange ready - untested
Europe Assist           Unknown
FMG                          Re-sent information - awaited
Green Flat                TBA.  In development.
IMA UK Assistance    In development.
LV                             LV:  IAS only, but request more info.
Mondial                    IAS only.  Aiming for Sept 2010.
NCI Vehicle Rescue  9800442   Online.
RAC                          TBA - In development.