By Denna Bowman

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of illegally dumping more than 3,000 tyres in a Welsh village last week.

Officers from Environment Agency Wales and North Wales Police made the arrests after making an appeal for information about the dump in the village of Glan Conwy last week.

The men, aged 23 and 35 from the local area have been questioned and released on bail while further investigations are carried out.

The tyres were dumped in a garage close to homes, the environmentally important Conwy estuary, the Conwy Valley railway line and the A470 trunk road which connects Llandudno and Cardiff.

Because the risk of fire and pollution was so high, the Agency took the unusual step of removing the tyres itself. Contractors took two days to clear the site last week.

Sian Williams from Environment Agency Wales said: “If these tyres had caught fire, toxic smoke would have polluted the air, wildlife in the Conwy estuary would have suffered, and the railway and main north-south trunk road could have been closed until the fire was put out.

“Waste criminals undercut legitimate companies who follows the rules - as regulator of the waste industry we investigate any reports of waste crime to ensure there is a level playing field for all businesses in the sector.”

By Denna Bowman

The Michelin tyres plant in Dundee has slashed its annual energy consumption after installing a new cooling tower to process water.

According to the tyres company, it is has cut 1,500 MWh from the Scottish factory’s annual energy consumption with the help of the new AC drives.

The equipment, supplied by Emerson Industrial Automation company Control Techniques, controls the speed of fans and pumps and match supply with demand.

When the cooling plant is idling, its energy consumption is now the equivalent to that needed to boil your cup of tea, according to Emerson.

Mike Barklie, Control Techniques project manager, said: “I measured actual cooling requirements and realised that there were further potential savings to be made by putting in variable-speed drives to match the supply of cooling water to demand.

“It was a major investment, but we have achieved a tremendously successful result that has a return on investment of less than three years.”

The fans in the cooling tower are designated as main and standby, the drive for the standby only starting when the demand on the main fan drive exceeds 60 per cent.

On minimum speed, which is one fan at 40 per cent of full speed, the power demand is just 2.5 kW – described by Barklie as “the same as an electric kettle” – some 87.5 kW less than the old cooling tower.

By Denna Bowman

The UK’s leading tyres safety organisation is celebrating its contribution to improving road safety on British road having reached its fifth anniversary.

TyreSafe was established in 2006 to raise awareness about all aspects of tyres safety and since then the number of motorists killed or seriously injured in a tyre related accident on the UK’s roads has fallen by a massive 38 per cent.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said: “There’s no doubt that TyreSafe has made a huge contribution towards improving drivers’ attitudes and behaviour towards tyre care and maintenance.

“As an organisation we’ve been incredibly busy and proactive over the last five years, but it’s important to note that we’ve also received fantastic support from many other organisations that has been critical in helping us educate people and raise standards.”

When TyreSafe was established, it began with just 12 member companies, and all were either tyre manufacturers or tyre retailers. Reflecting its considerable growth and influence, the organisation now boasts an impressive 35 members including many vehicle manufacturers, associated equipment suppliers as well as other influential bodies involved in road safety such as the Highways Agency, the Chief Fire Officers Association and the Driving Standards Agency.

TyreSafe’s early campaigns focused entirely on educating car drivers but with its growing membership and reputation, the group has expanded its campaigns targeting many different groups including motorcyclists, van and truck users, caravanners and more recently, horsebox and trailer owners.

It has also taken a lead role in campaigning on other key issues such as part-worn tyre and winter tyres.

With a focus firmly on end-users, TyreSafe has gained an enviable reputation for continuing to develop innovative and fresh ways to communicate tyre safety messages, including the 20p test which helps drivers check their tread depth; an iPhone tyre pressure App and a number of online safety movies, taking advantage of the dramatic increase in online and social media.

Its efforts have been rewarded with significant media coverage, including several national television appearances and hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles. TyreSafe was recently named in The Daily Telegraph’s list of 30 best motoring Apps.

Alongside its media achievements and accolades, TyreSafe received a major boost in 2009 when it was awarded a prestigious Prince Michael International Road Safety Award, for its tyre safety campaigning.

Jackson added: “Despite the many positives and achievements during our short history, there is still a huge amount of work for us to do as an organisation and as an industry.

“There are still high levels of ignorance and neglect about many tyre safety issues so it’s vitally important that we ramp up our activities even further during the next five years.

“However, at this important milestone I would like to offer our sincere thanks to everyone who has helped and supported us during our first five years and we look forward to working closely with you during the next five.”

By Denna Bowman

Which? has published the results of its winter tyres test after putting six tyres in two of the most popular sizes through their paces.

In size 175/65 R14T the Continental WinterContact TS800 came out tops with the comment: “A really good all rounder with no major weaknesses. It’s the class leader on snow, good in wet and dry conditions and offers the best fuel economy of all the winter tyres in this batch.”

The only downside was: “It is slightly weaker than others for cornering on ice.”

The other Best Buys were the Michelin Alpin A4 and the Dunlop SP Winter Response.

In the 205/55 R16H category the Continental WinterContact TS830 took poll position again and was praised for: “Sound performance in the wet and in snow puts this tyre at the top of the ratings table. It also has a long predicted life, beating most rivals in the wear stakes.”

On the downside Which? added: “It’s not quite so impressive on ice, although it is still a match for any competitor in this batch.”

The two other Best Buys were the Goodyear UltraGrip 7+ and the Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3.

Read the full report in the January 2012 issue or go to www.which.co.uk.

By Denna Bowman

Tyre manufacturers are still in the dark about how the forthcoming European Union (EU) tyre labelling regulation will be policed, according to a report in Fleet News.

The regulation requires all tyres on sale from November 2012 to display a label showing ratings for fuel efficiency, wet grip and external noise.

Tyre manufacturers will be conducting the tests that determine the rating. The label test methods were confirmed at the end of November but manufacturers are still waiting to find out how the tests will be policed.

David Smith, Continental’s UK managing director, said: “We are waiting for the UK Government to decide who the enforcement agency will be.

“We need to know how, or who, is going to enforce this with it being self-certification.

“I don’t believe anyone will play with the label but the opportunity is there.”

Continental also confirmed the EU plans to revise the label in 2016. One of the considerations will be whether a specialist label is needed for winter tyres.

By Denna Bowman

An alarming one in seven (14.6%) UK motorists don’t replace their tyres unless they fail an MOT or are found to be illegal during a service, according to a new survey.

A further 47.8% use their car tyres right down to the legal limit of 1.6mm before they replace them, ignoring tyre safety advice which shows that braking distances increase significantly once tread depth gets below 3mm, the study claims.

The worrying tyres trend was revealed during the study by VanRental.co.uk., which questioned 735 website visitors between 5th November 2011 and 6th December 2011.

The remainder of those surveyed (37.7%) said that they replaced their tyres when tread depth reached 3mm – perhaps in part to provide better performance in winter driving conditions, for which most British motorists use summer tyres.

The VanRental.co.uk survey found that just 6.8% of those questioned were definitely going to switch to winter tyres this winter, although 21.8% said ‘maybe’, when asked.

Roland Head, VanRental.co.uk founder, said: “Our survey results highlight the casual attitude taken by many motorists towards tyre safety. Your tyres are the only thing that keeps you in control of your car, yet many motorists only pay attention to the condition of their tyres when the law forces them to.”

The survey also found that 29% of motorists check their tyre pressures less than once a month, with 6.5% of motorists saying that they ‘never’ checked their car’s tyres for damage or uneven wear, putting them at extra risk of blowouts and handling problems.

By Denna Bowman

Drivers who purchase cheap second hand tyres could be taking a big risk with their safety, especially during the winter months, according to a leading car insurance retailer.

Last winter worn tyres were the blame for 1,215 casualties in the UK, according to Swinton, and figures from the Department of Transport show that 18 motorists were killed due to defective tyres.

A recent survey showed that 43% of drivers are more willing to put themselves at risk if it results in saving a few pounds and Swinton is urging drivers to invest in new tyres before considering buying second hand.

Swinton is highlighting the possible dangers of buying second hand tyres:

— Part worn tyres can suffer from severe structural damage that can not be
seen by the naked eye
— Second hand tyres do not last long and will need replacing sooner than
new ones
— Defective tyres can affect braking distance, adding two car lengths when
travelling in wet weather at 50mph
— Used tyres on average have only 3mm of thread, resulting in motorists
only paying for 1.4mm tread depth compared to the legal depth of 1.6mm
— Most part worn tyres purchased have not been MoT checked

Steve Chelton, Claims Manager at Swinton, said: “Purchasing second hand tyres during winter could put drivers and other road users at risk.

“There is no rule stating that you cannot purchase part worn tyres however Swinton is advising motorists to consider investing in new ones.

“Complications can occur with part worn tyres and could leave you claiming on your car insurance. Tyre safety is a serious issue and if there is a possibility that the tyre can not perform well then it should be ruled out.”

Swinton is currently working with Goodyear Tyres to promote the fitment of winter tyres. Once the weather drops below 7 degrees C, the rubber on regular ’summer’ tyres hardens up, lessening their grip on the road.

Cold weather tyres are manufactured with more natural rubber and silica, which keeps them supple in the colder weather offering greater grip in cold conditions including snow and ice and can offer up to 55% reduction in braking distance.

By Denna Bowman

Taxi drivers are threatening to go on strike in Bedford if the local council pushes through new regulations, including tougher requirements for tyres.

Bedford Borough Council wants the minimum tread for tyres fitted on local cabs to be 2.5mm - that is 9mm above the national standard of 1.6mm.

However, the local drivers are threatening strike action in the new year unless the concerns about the regulations are listened to.

The row erupted following a meeting last Thursday, which eventually had to be moved to Bedford Borough council chamber because of the number of people who attended.

Bedford drivers stormed out after the 30-minute set time for questions came to an end with many more still wanting answers.

The General Licensing Committee at Borough Hall was looking at improved standards for licensed vehicles in the borough.

The Manual of Inspection listed a number of requirements, including a minimum tyre tread of 3mm – which was reduced to 2.5mm in the meeting (the national standard being 1.6mm).

Drivers also expressed their objections to other rules, such as making it compulsory to install CCTV in licensed vehicles and for some drivers to retake examinations.

Around 100 turned up at the meeting but the majority stormed out as tempers flared and police were called, although they were not required to attend.

The chairman of the licensing committee, Cllr Will Hunt, said he felt some members of the public tried to hijack the meeting.

He added: “I was insistent on the allowed 30 minutes for questions but at the end all of a sudden there were about ten people who wanted to ask more.

“We listened to their wishes and desires but we are responsible for public safety.”

Hundreds of drivers were due to stage a 12-hour strike from 11pm last night but called it off late yesterday afternoon following further talks with the council.

Eighteen owners of Bedford’s main cab firms signed an Oath of Unity in support of the action and secretary of the Bedford Hackney Service, Taj Rahman, also signed the document.

Drivers now say they want dialogue and a mutual agreement before the end of the year or they will consider strike action.

A spokesman for the council said: “We have advised drivers that we are happy to discuss this issue further before it is implemented next April.”

By Denna Bowman

Goodyear has received an award for a new innovation which will allow tyres to maintain the correct level of inflation.

The Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) has been selected by Car & Driver magazine as one of “ten most promising future technologies” in its 2012 10Best edition.

It will enable tyres to remain inflated at the optimum pressure without the need for any external pumps or electronics. All components of the AMT system, including the miniaturised pump, will be fully contained within the tyre.

Car & Driver editors called AMT an “elegantly simple idea” in their article in the December 2011 issue.

Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear’s chief technical officer, said: “While the technology is complex, the idea behind the AMT system is relatively simple and powered by the tyre itself as it rolls down the road.

“A tyre that can maintain its own inflation is something drivers have wanted for many years. Goodyear has taken on this challenge and the progress we have made is very encouraging.

“This will become the kind of technological breakthrough that people will wonder how they ever lived without.”

AMT is currently under development at Goodyear’s Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg.

By Denna Bowman

An airless concept tyre that could prove to be a viable and more environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional tyres in the future has been developed by Bridgestone.

The Japanese tyres manufacturer’s Environmental Mission Statement outlines its goal to help contribute to a more sustainable society, with particular emphasis on three areas – ecological conservation, resource conservation and reduction of carbon emissions.

In support of the Mission, Bridgestone is working on various projects, like the non-pneumatic tyre, that will ultimately contribute to a healthier environment for not just current, but also future generations.

Non-pneumatic tyres have a lesser impact on the environment than today’s conventional tyres, but previously such concept tyres have been impractical to produce for the mass market. Bridgestone developed this technology with the aim of practical implementation.

With a unique structure of spokes stretching along the inner sides of the tyres supporting the weight of the vehicle, there is no need to periodically refill the tyres with air, meaning that the tyres require less maintenance.

The tyre eliminates the worry of punctures is eliminated. In addition, the spoke structure within the tyre is made from reusable thermoplastic resin*1, and along with the rubber in the tread portion, the materials used in the tyres are 100 percent recyclable. As a result, the tyres set a new standard in terms of environmental friendliness, safety and comfort.