Top transport award for Burgess Hill Waste Recycling Site

Revolutionary safety checking systems developed at West Sussex County Council’s Household Waste Recycling Site in Burgess Hill have scooped a top prize from the leading voice on freight transport.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has awarded Viridor Waste Management, which operates the site, its Tachofta Compliance Award 2008 for demonstrating the best all-round compliance and improvement for driver hours and working time regulations.

The site is the first in the UK to receive the new annual award.

Viridor has been using the FTA to audit its records for the past year to ensure it meets the current stringent legal requirements. It analyses all drivers’ daily working activities to ensure adequate rest periods are taken and working hours aren’t exceeded. This is vital to improve the safety of the freight industry and protect all road users.

Paul Riley, South East Regional Vehicle and Plant Engineer at Viridor, said: “The waste industry is a particularly tough operating environment for truck drivers.

“The cutting-edge systems we’ve put in place ensure Viridor drivers are safe, legal and efficient. It is great for our efforts to be recognised by the FTA.”

Derek Whittington, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “This award demonstrates the responsible approach Viridor is taking to ensure it is running a safe fleet while transporting materials to and from our waste management sites.”