Nov 2001

MAG get London Couriers in Heathrow London Airport Bus Lane. November brings great news for London bike couriers POB with work to Heathrow and the western London corridor of business. In the wake of sustained campaigning by MAG, the M4 bus lane will be opened to motorcycles under proposals announced by Transport Minister John Spellar November 23rd. Highways Agency Project Manager Paul Harwood said: "Allowing motorcyclists to use the lane would help to make their journeys safer by keeping them clear of lane changes by other vehicles. The Agency will be monitoring this change carefully and the results will help inform decisions on whether there is a wider case for motorcyclists to be allowed to use bus lanes." MAG Spokesman Ian Mutch:'This is great news and shows that persistent lobbying does work, London & Home Counties MAG and MAG's employed lobbyists are to be congratulated on this result. Let us hope that all bike couriers appreciate the efforts being made on their behalf.

Oct 2001

Chain Gang Couriers on Mainstream TV. Wednesday 10th October found London motorcycle couriers on ITVs motoring programme 'Pulling Power'. A five minute clip on the half hour show found a pulling power presenter on a one hundred thousand mile Honda Bross in need of permanent service trying to scrape a four hundred pound a week living at South London based Chain Gang in what he described as a tough long hour job for heroes. The inevitable interviews of crash victim bikers followed with reports of insurance at three thousand pounds a year.

Sept 2001

Moves buy Manchester based Frank Hill. The Moves Group has purchased Manchester based Frank Hill after a year of growth. Moves well known in Central London for its same day operations took over Harley Street Runners some years back to create a strong bike courier operation.

MachOne, Snapper David Bailey joins the row. London courier firm MachOne have been troubled all year by local residents who have grave concerns for safety and sound pollution following the companies move to new offices in Brownlow Mews London WC1. Boss Jeremy Thompson was ordered to move out by Camden Council over planning use of the building. During appeal famous photographer, David Bailey a local resident has joined the row over the use of the mews. Residents claim excessive traffic in the sleepy mews where it has become dangerous with bikes dashing up and down and revving engines in a small residential cul-de-sac.

EMAP launch new bike title free. MCN Bike Mart arrived at the beginning of September, a new fortnightly glossy book like mag with bike adds and some situations vacant adverts from weekly sister title MCN. A new avenue for job advertising but alongside the existing title of Bike Trader of Auto Trader fame.

Aug 2001

Lewis Day take over Challenger. Following the return of Hilton Lewis in May 2001 to the courier industry he has added Challenger to his list of acquisitions in his Provost Street courier offices. Many ex West One staff are onboard alongside Hilton who has returned from a two year leave of the industry following the sale of former West One to DMS.

July 2001

Motorcycle Action Group is sad to have to report the death of its President Dennis Howard who has died, aged 80, following a road accident in London aboard his bicycle. Dennis Howard founded MAG in 1973 in response to the introduction of the Compulsory Helmet Law in June of that year. MAG have been key in recent years with active political loby work to help courier bikes become exempt from London congestion charging and have worked to get bikes into city bus lanes.

June 2001

Winners for the National Courier Awards Announced. - The same day courier industry had its most spectacular gala bash so far on a hot June evening. A very strong turnout became a who’s who reunion of the courier industry. Lord Falkland gave a key note speech on the bike courier industry and Steve Norris conducted the handing out of hand made individual glass awards. Much as many courier company chief executives and MDs rubbed shoulders so to did key people on the fringes of the industry. BMF chairman, Sharon Nash met DA chief executive Philip Stone alongside National Courier Association Chairman Kevin Gray.

At the beginning of June Tracey Worth announced her panel of judges for the National Courier Awards to be held on the evening of the 26th June 2001 at the Transport Museum in Covent Garden. The panel included three ex winners and individuals from the National Courier Association, BMF, MAG and Despatch Association. The list of judges in alphabetic order was, Dee Barratt - Ears Communications, David Brown - Prestige Couriers, Gordon Brown - OCR RSA, Kevin Gray - Point to Point NCA, Carl Lomas - Camelot Courier Training, Trevor Magner - BMF, Tony Marson - Hornets, Ian Mutch - MAG, Kwangu Nyirend - Moves, Martin Ruty - Speed DA, Steve Smith - Professional IT.

The judges decision was based on four categories and the winners were, Overnight - Jim Beecham, Hays DX, Two Wheel - Darren Andrew, Anderson Young / Kevin Murphy, Moves Group, Four Wheel - Richard Olive, Hornets / Sam Rajah, Securicor, Office - Gary Hunt, Hornets / Sharon Peters, Quicksilver

May 2001

Return of Hilton Lewis. - Hilton Lewis, the former managing director of West One Rapid Despatch returned to the courier industry with his new company Lewis Day Transport PLC. Hilton commented, 'I am delighted to be back in the courier and passenger car business with my former team, and extend a warm invitation to riders and drivers who previously worked with us, to join our new circuits.' The Lewis Day office opened late April in 42 Provost Street London N1 opposite Moorfields Eye Hospital.

Despatch Association AGM. - May was the date for the Despatch Associations 2001 AGM. London companies reflecting the 10,000 bike couriers of the capital were much in the minority. London based Jeremy Thompson of Mach One couriers, treasurer of the DA was one Londoner who did not make the annual bash. Held in Old Harlow Essex chairman, Bob Doughty's partner Sally introduced Steve Norris to address issues of quality in the industry. 'Couriers are a pivotal piece of cement holding the bricks and mortar of business together.' Leaving the evenings jazz band behind most then chose to set industry issues correct at the bar.

TNT Celebrates 21 Years of overnights. - May saw the 21st birthday celebrations of TNT who have completed 21 years of overnight deliveries. The 6th May 1980 saw the company launch a money back guarantee nation-wide overnight delivery service in the UK. The first job was a sample of cushion vinyl made by Armstrong DLW Commercial Floors of Abingdon.

April 2001

Government make solid step in support of courier industry. - The Department for Education and Employment Dfee has contracted with Camelot Courier Training to deliver courier skills training to the South East Region for the next three years through to 2004. Last year Camelot gained one of the highest audit scores of any training in the UK from the governments Training Standards Council. Camelot was awarded a grade one excellence to put alongside its Investors in People Awards and National Training Award. Camelot will deliver exclusive training with bike fuel and insurance support to aid unemployed people from 18 to 65 get the best possible start in the courier industry. Candidates who graduate from Camelot will go on to work towards their NVQ qualification in courier skills and from past experience take some of the highest paid positions in the courier industry.

TNT deliver 37 million census forms - 2,700 census district managers have received 37 million census forms over the last six months. TNT have made the deliveries in a 2 million pound contract that made use of 800 40 foot trailers to carry three thousand tons of forms distributed with the use of the 35 TNT depots. TNT Services MD Tom Bell comments, "I am proud our people have successfully completed the biggest logistics operation ever undertaken in Peace Time Britain."

No to cheap mail! - Securicor Omega Express and Nightspeed have said no to postal regulator. The big boys are to make no sub pound deliveries yet. Consignia (formerly the post office) was the first postal operator to be licensed by the postal regulator PostComm as it lost its long time monopoly for delivering letters under the cost of one pound. Graham Corbett, PostComm chairman comments, 'Licensing Consignia is the first step in our task to set a framework for a healthy and competitive postal services sector across the UK which will bring choice and improved standards.'

March 2001

Big Guns back awards - Lord Falkland, president of the Despatch Association has rallied some of the industries big guns to make nominations for the 2001 National Courier Awards. Mike Lakin of Hays and Pauline Stevenson-Fraser of Securicor are organising their own short listings from courier offices across the UK. March saw the launch of a dedicated web site for the awards which you can find at www.ncawards.co.uk

London AGM for National Courier Association - New chairman Kevin Grey has taken the helm of the National Courier Association. Kevin from London based Point to Point Couriers lobbied hard to get the Association AGM into the UK courier capital, London. Members were divided on the event cost which was hosted at the Tower Thistle Hotel by the River Thames in the City of London. With foot and mouth taking a tight grip of the country many of the courier company top brass attended or sent representatives. Self proclaimed John Major of the courier industry, Stefan Law from the Midlands looks set to give up his presidency of the Association to Kevin in the natural progression of chair becoming president in two year cycles. Last years chairman David Vicery of Dash Couriers has missed out on the presidents slot but remains on the committee as outgoing chairman. Alan Savage of Milton Keynes London Link has taken over as Vice Chairman. The National Courier Association is made up of many small courier companies across the UK who use the Association to inter trade and deliver UK wide packages between member companies. The AGM was followed by a dinner dance and charity raffle. Star prize of the charity raffle was a VIP boat trip on the Thames supported by Camelot Courier Training, winners included Seven Sixty Express Woking and KKM from Portsmouth.

Business as usual on the radio - Following the Wood Lane bomb explosion it is still business as usual at Ears Radio. Ears is based in Aerial Way of Wood Lane, the bomb caused disruption to the whole area and on going road closures caused problems but it is business as usual. Contact Ears on 020 8762 9966

Welsh National Bike show still on - The Welsh National motorcycle Show taking place on the 25th - 28th May at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Mid Wales is still set to go ahead despite fears over foot and mouth disease. The showground is outside the exclusion zones and no animals are grazing on the showground. Disinfectant is being used at the gates as a precaution and the motorcycle show is considered a safe event because it doesn't involve the movement of animals. For further information please call Gary on 01286 830331

Express Expo just the ticket for a record crowd - Express Expo 2001, took place at London Heathrows Renaissance Hotel attracting 43 exhibitors and well over 500 visitors from courier companies and freight forwarders. IFW magazine held a prize draw where Trident Sameday and Initial Citylink picked up prizes. Tracking systems, fleet management and barcode systems were hot on the exhibitors list.

New Web Page For Courier Industries Premier Event - Despatch Association President Lord Falkland teamed up with ex National Courier Association Chairman, Tracey Worth and Steve Smith from Professional IT to launch a new internet web site. The site was launched at the House of Commons and is for the National Courier Awards. The new site includes the opportunity to make online nominations. The 2001 courier awards will be held on Tuesday 26th June at the transport Museum in Covent Garden London. Check the details at www.ncawards.co.uk

Feb 2001

ACU ban off-road motorcycle sport to help prevent spread of Foot & Mouth - ACU has today applied a nationwide ban on all off-road motorcycle sport on the mainland of Great Britain with immediate effect (28.02.01). A large percentage of motorcycle sport takes place on farmland which issued for animal rearing, in particular sheep. Following the making of the decision Geoff Wilson, ACU Chief Executive, said, "In line with recommendations from the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) the ACU has until now left the responsibility for applying bans on the sport to individual event organisers in association with each of our twenty Local Centres.

Hornets, Prestige and Moves First On - Three past winners were the first to be elected to the panel of judges for the 2001 National Courier awards. Tony marson - Hornets, Kwangu Nyirend - Moves and David Brown - Prestige. The three ex winners bring a solid foundation to the 2001 panel. Judge co-ordinator Tracey Worth ex chairman of the National Courier Association is soon to announce the full panel of ten which will draw from the DA, NCA, MAG & BMF to create a top level industry team for the tough decisions of 2001. This years awards will be held at the Transport Museum, Covent Garden, Tuesday 26th June.

Biker Ban Ends - Innocent riders who have fallen foul of the one year ban may regain their licences to ride mopeds and light motorcycles. Provisional motorcycle licences will now be issued valid until age 70, subject to the rider holding a current training certificate. The validity of compulsory basic training CBT certificates will be reduced from 3 years to 2. MAG spokesman, Ian Mutch comments, 'This victory shows the government is listening to us.'

Freedom to lead courier market - Professional IT have their new 2001 product on the market. Freedom is windows based and offers internet booking, networking and web design specifically to courier companies. Steve Smith of Professional IT comments, 'We took a strong hold of the courier industry IT market last year. We are seeking to establish ourselves as the leading supplier of IT solutions to the courier industry.'

Traffic Jams Stationary - Figures out in February from the DETR say traffic levels were virtually unchanged between 1999 and 2000. Provisional estimates show that traffic increased 0.3% between the two years. Fuel protests that cleared the roads were taken into consideration to adjust the figures and get a fare representation of the year.

Jan 2001

Big Ears in West London - Following 28 years of business, Communications London - Colin Davies has shut shop and joined forces with Mick Davies and his West London team Ears radio. Colin began Comms London from a shed in North West London more than quarter of a century ago. He has built up a great loyalty with many customers in the area and joins Ears PLC to provide his expertise across London. Contact EARS on 020 8762 9966

Enforcement Notice gives Jeremy Thompson’s MachI Two Months - Jeremy Thompson, treasurer of the Despatch Association has found himself in deep water over planning permission. Camden Council have given him two months to quit MachIs courier operations at Brownlow Mews, London WC1. Following a move to new offices local residents and neighbours brought complaints for disturbance and considerable noise problems. Activities were logged by residents. Andrew Gillman stated he had seen motorcycles driving at dangerous speeds in the Mews. He detailed groups of motorcyclists illegally parked causing obstruction. MachI doubled its size with acquisition of Streetwise in 1994, then came the Courier Group in 1996, Fleet Street Flyers in 1999 and latest acquisition Deliverance.

New Head biker for IAM - The Institute of Advanced Motorists IAM have a new motorcycle advisor. Dave Shenton has taken on the job from Rod Collins. Dave is an ex bike cop from the West Midlands and runs advanced rider training, preparing bikers for their IAM tests.

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