Over the past month we’ve taken delivery of three brand new FEL trucks from Roanza Truck & Van (Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles) in Liverpool as our business continues to grow.
They’re equipped with the latest technology from Vehicle Weighing Solutions and also the groundbreaking Cyclear technology from Innovative Safety Systems, which acts as a monitoring and warning system for cyclists and other vulnerable road users, along with protecting our drivers. Our new trucks a feature the logo for The Whitechapel Centre as a sign of our continued support for the charity who help homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless across Liverpool.
Our fleet already includes a number of Mercedes-Benz Econic trade refuse collection vehicles, with its low entry chassis and five-star Direct Vision safety credentials.
The Econic has a deep, panoramic windscreen and we’ve chosen to have the full-height glazed folding side door to give our drivers unrivalled visibility, which is crucial for the urban environments we work in, where we share roads with cyclists and pedestrians.
Our Fleet Manager Carl Partington said ” The expansion in our business has meant we’re doing many more multi-drop collection routes in busy urban areas – exactly the sort of work to which the Mercedes-Benz Econic is ideally suited. Not only is the Econic well-built and cost-effective to run, but the air-conditioned cab and full air suspension mean it’s also an extremely comfortable vehicle for our crews.
“It also offers the highest safety standards for our staff and other road users. As well as providing an unrivalled field of vision for the driver, whose low seating position allows direct eye contact with vulnerable road users, the cab’s design also minimises the risk of colleagues suffering injury when stepping in or out of the vehicle.”
Safety is of paramount importance to Gaskells, and the Mercedes-Benz Econic is a clear winner in this respect. Our vehicles are also equipped with camera systems all round and audible warning systems to alert the driver to the presence of a cyclist at the truck’s nearside. “Furthermore, all our drivers complete a cycle safety course as part of their DCPC training. I’m a cyclist myself, and have also driven trucks, so I understand the difficulties both sets of road users face. Unfortunately, unlike our drivers, most members of the public only see one side of the equation.”
Throughout November a number of our trucks are wearing poppies as part of this years Remembrance Commemorations. As always staff at our head office are supporting the Poppy Appeal as our way of saying thank you to all the armed services and those who’ve lost their lives serving our country.