MacNeillie now supplies a range of fully equipped vehicle platforms to all three UK emergency services and a growing number of civil, diplomatic and military authorities around the world.

Specialist vehicle converter and integrator, MacNeillie, is set to introduce its latest counter-terrorism support vehicle. The unit has been designed to provide maximum cubic body volume, whilst making extensive use of high-strength composite materials to reduce weight and optimise payload options. The new unit is configured for EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), IEDD (Improvised Explosive Device Disposal) and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) and will enter service with an undisclosed authority.  The vehicle is similar to a range of units which MacNeillie has recently supplied to a number of overseas markets, such as the Middle East.  Based on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis, the cab incorporates a number of normal civilian emergency services features, such as ballistic and non-ballistic protection, screen guards and headlight protection, full suite audible and visual warning systems and run-flat tyres.  The rear operations support module offers full height headroom and the spacious interior can be configured in a wide range of layouts to suit specific user requirements.  Rear doors and associated ramp and lift options are offered, to accommodate equipment such as robots and UGVs (Unmanned Ground Vehicles).  MacNeillie Managing Director, Nigel Rowley said: “Our high strength composites are proven in service to withstand a wide range of threats and incident environments, without compromise to the crews which operate them.  We now have dedicated teams of electronics and communications specialists, who can provide service support in a secure environment.  All that can be conducted if required in a covert, high security facility.”

Planning ahead, DPD’s CEO, Dwain McDonald.

DPD the parcel company is making its own plans to cope with London logistics when the Games come to town and is deploying 200 extra staff and opening an additional London depot. On peak days, over 800,000 spectators, athletes, officials and media representatives are expected to travel to the 24 Olympic venues across the capital. The extra volume of traffic coupled with travel, stopping and parking restrictions, are expected to cause severe congestion in and around London over the summer. As part of its contingency plans to maintain its service throughout the period of the Games, DPD will also extend its early delivery times between 05:00 and 07:00 and also offer to deliver from 18:00 to 21:00 in the evening. Collection hours will also be extended and there will be an increase in the number of depot and customer service staff; Other plans include the provision of support for drivers on routes with restrictions on stopping and parking. Drivers will be provided with assistants who will make the final delivery on foot (this will not apply to ‘lockdown’ venues). Dwain McDonald, DPD’s CEO commented: “Last year, we established a dedicated Olympics Project Team to ensure that we are ready to respond to the challenges created by this summer’s Olympics. From our close liaison with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Transport for London it is clear that there will be severe congestion in a number of areas in and around London, particularly from mid July to mid September.” Dwain McDonald added: “We have appointed designated Olympics Specialists at each of the impacted depots who will collect real-time information on routes and make any adjustments accordingly. This will enable us to respond to disruptions in a quick and efficient manner and alert customers if an issue does arise.” To help customers plan ahead for the expected disruption, DPD has also produced a detailed matrix illustrating the specific postcodes and key dates that will be impacted by the Games. Dwain McDonald explained: “Using a simple traffic light system, the matrix allows customers to see at a glance when and where the Olympic distribution disruption hot-spots are and what the service impact will be. To avoid the hot-spots – we recommend companies review their shipping history to the affected locations and compare it against the matrix to see if they can make alternative arrangements such as changing delivery dates or addresses, or asking the receiver to collect from the local DPD depot.” For a copy of DPD’s Olympic Matrix or the company’s Olympic Bulletin visit: www.dpd.co.uk

Seven years after its foundation, the Transit Van Club has just signed up its 1,000th member. Darren Kempton, who owns two classic examples of Ford’s finest, is the “millennium member” and he was presented with a commemorative certificate from club founder Peter Lee. Darren, whose 1986 Mk II long wheelbase Transit is in daily use with his signage and vehicle graphics business, DJK Signs, said: “It’s a great honour. The Transit has been part of my life since I first started driving one in 1996, and now I have bought a second classic model, a 1969 Mk I camper van, as a restoration project.” The Transit Van Club was founded in 2005 to mark the van’s 40th birthday. “I never imagined the club would grow so quickly to reach 1,000 members,” said Peter Lee. “I think that says everything you need to know about the Transit and its place in people’s hearts.” Peter owns nine classic Transits, each used regularly. Club members enjoy displaying their vans at classic commercial vehicle events around the country. The next big events planned are the Classic and Vintage Commercial Show on 9/10 June and the 20/22 July Transit Van Club annual rally, both at Gaydon in Warwickshire. Members display their vehicles to help raise charity funds, often for children’s causes. The club – web address transitvanclub.co.uk – recently donated £1,000 to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

Liam Campbell spends some quality time getting to know an electrified Renault Kangoo ZE.

The latest Euro-5 Citroën Relay Enterprise packs a lot of kit into a big van!

The latest Euro-5 Citroën Berlingo with automated gearbox has a lot in its favour, including the ability to calm a stressed-out Editor!