CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > November 2022 37 ESTA: 3 ESTA is calling on the European Commission to amend its plans for a network of Safe and Secure Truck Parking Areas (SSTPAs) to include abnormal transports and take account of the needs of women drivers. ESTA Director Ton Klijn said: “We know that for our industry to prosper in future, we cannot afford to only recruit from the male half of the population. But to succeed in that aim, it will be essential to develop good quality and safe parking areas.” The Board also repeated their concerns that the SSTPA plans contain no specific provisions for abnormal transports. ESTA five-year strategy meeting planned for November ESTA’s board has announced that it is planning to review its strategy at a special meeting in Hamburg in November following the accession of new president Fabio Belli from Fagioli. Members who would like to suggest subjects for discussion are invited to contact the ESTA Office. The results of the November discussions will be presented at ESTA’s 2023 Spring meeting. ESTA is the European Association of Abnormal Road Transport and Mobile Cranes. Formed in 1976, it has members in 25 countries, including the CPA and the Heavy Transport Association from the UK. The Working Group overseeing a new edition of ESTA’s SPMT best practice guide hopes to finish its work by the second half of next year. Concern has been growing in the industry at the lack of recognised training qualifications and the need to improve safety standards as the SPMT market grows. Eleven leading European companies have said they will join ESTA’s discussions from eight different countries, reflecting the widespread concern across Europe. They are Collett, Cometto, DNV, Fagioli, Mammoet, Sarens, Siemens Gamesa, Technip Energies, Terra Navtica, Tii Group and Wagenborg. ESTA’s well-received best practice guide for the use of self- propelled modular transporters (SPMT) was first published in 2016 and was translated into six languages to meet demand. The first edition of the guide is still available for free download from ESTA’s website in English, French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish. New SPMT best practice guide scheduled for next year Call for Brussels’ SSTPA plans to be amended