AEA pip Simon Management to SAFED control

The privatised off-shoot of the former UK Atomic Energy Authority, AEA Technology, has been chosen by DfT to project manage the SAFED Aggregates programme, ousting former manager Simon Management.

Tendering together with Wolverhampton-based Liquid Management Solutions (LMS) as sales and marketing partner, the Momenta project management arm of AEA will be in charge of rolling out the driver development project.

Funded through the aggregates levy sustainability fund, SAFED Aggregates is a programme supporting greener and safer driving through training. The latest tranch of funding came online in April.

This time around, as a means to help shut the door on rogue elements accessing the programme, companies will have to prove aggregates make up 50% of vehicle mileage or their business base. Previously it was 25%.

SAFED also demands a £50 a driver fee for firms employing up to 250 people – rising to £100 for larger companies. Previously there was no fee.

LMS MD Kevin Taylor told MQR today there should be enough money to train 4-5000 drivers over the initial two-year period. “ We have about 90 trainers across England so we are urging firms, especially SMEs, to come forward," he said.

For more details on the programme and to find out if you qualify call LMS on 0845 450 7373. You can also catch LMS at the CIWM show next month and at RWM08 at the NEC in September.