Lanes achieves FORS Bronze transport standard for UK fleet

Lanes Group has achieved, through re-auditing, the Bronze accreditation for its UK transport fleet under the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS).

The company first achieved FORS Bronze in 2014 and successfully passed its annual audit in March – demonstrating that it sets nationally recognised safety and operational management standards.

The FORS scheme is operated by Transport for London but is increasingly used by companies operating across the UK to benchmark operational standards.

During March, five different independent assessors audited five Lanes depots – in Eastleigh, Rainham, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Sheffield, with all five achieving FORS Bronze accreditation.

Paul McParland, Health, Safety Quality and Environment Manager for Lanes Group, said: “Achieving FORS Bronze demonstrates that we set good standards of fleet safety and operational management.

“It gives our clients assurance about the quality they can expect from Lanes Group vehicles, drivers and transport systems. We operate hundreds of vehicles, many of them HGVs, and transport is one of our highest risks.

“It makes good sense to benchmark our performance against recognised independently-verified standards, and FORS gives us that opportunity.”

Paul worked with Lanes Group transport managers Simon Nicholls and Robin Carrington to ensure the FORS accreditation process went smoothly.

Bronze accreditation confirms that an operator employs good transport practices and complies with the requirements laid out by the FORS Standard. This includes demonstrating dedication to driver and vehicle safety, combined with improving operating practices through effective monitoring of fuel and tyre usage.

Robin Carrington said: “Lanes Group operates some of the most advanced and modern specialist drainage HGVs in the UK. Maintaining them to the highest and safest standards is important to meet service commitments and road transport safety standards.

“We also use the latest vehicle tracking and safety monitoring systems to support our drivers in operating their vehicles safely every minute of the day. Achieving FORS Bronze is recognition of this commitment.”