The City of London has today become the first London local authority area to start using a high-vision, safer tipper vehicle which will improve road safety for cyclists and other vulnerable road users in the heart of the Square Mile.
The Econic tipper vehicle, manufactured by Mercedes-Benz, will be used by the City’s highways contractor, JB Riney, and will be used for streets and highways maintenance by the City of London Corporation.
The lorry gives an exceptional field of vision for the driver with a panoramic windscreen which is at least 50% larger than a standard windscreen, has a fully glazed floor-to-ceiling kerbside door, and a unique low-entry cab. Riney are the first City contractor to place order for this type of vehicle and are leading the way in the industry.
The vehicle will be on display at Aldgate Gyratory in the City today (1130 – 1230, 25 January,) where there are already ongoing works to enhance the area and improve road safety. By spring 2017, this area will provide new pedestrian crossing points, allow easier navigation of bus services and introduce two new public spaces on the eastern edge of the City of London.
Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation, Michael Welbank, said:
“We take the issue of road safety incredibly seriously in the City and I am delighted that we have adopted the use of the new high-vision tipper vehicle. Anything which improves the field of vision for a lorry driver, so they can better see vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists, is a welcome step.
“It also demonstrates what can be achieved by organisations from both the public and private sectors when working in partnership.”
Mike Brown MVO, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: "I congratulate the City of London for being the first London local authority area to use these life-saving construction vehicles. We encourage all local authorities to follow the City's lead and use these vehicles in their contracts.
"These lorries, with minimised blindspots, are also increasingly being used on work performed for TfL as part of a wide range of action to deliver safer roads in London."
Vincente Connolly, Director National Sales Mercedes-Benz and FUSO Trucks said:
“Working with the City of London Corporation and JB Riney, has been both an absolute joy and a highly rewarding experience. With safety being at the heart of all our businesses and the primary focus of this partnership, the impact that the Mercedes-Benz Econic makes, in densely populated areas where transport, pedestrians and cyclists cohabit, is clear to see.
“In having a lowered driver seating position and more glazed panels throughout the cab, unique to the Econic, the driver has higher levels of direct eye-to-eye vision with third parties and other road users.“
The City of London Corporation have gained Gold Accreditation in the Fleet Operators recognition scheme that focuses on Fleet operators having the correct fleet management processes in place that are compliant with the Highway Code and Road Traffic Act. The City supports the Construction and Logistics Cyclist Safety (CLOCS) initiative which focuses on managing work related road risk by improving vehicle safety, making sure the appropriate safety equipment is fitted to the vehicles and encourages best practice and Health and Safety to the wider community.