Road safety charity backs farm trailer scheme

A road safety charity has announced a partnership with the Tilly Your Trailer campaign to improve the safety of agricultural trailers on UK roads.

TyreSafe said it wanted to reach all road user groups, particularly those operating in rural and agricultural settings, where the risks associated with unsafe tyres and trailer maintenance are heightened.

Farm trailers often travel long distances on public roads – but trailer maintenance standards can vary widely. This partnership aims to bridge the safety gap by promoting proper trailer maintenance and tyre safety within the farming community.

Important step

Road safety experts say the increase presence of farm vehicles on rural roads poses risks not only to agricultural workers but also to other road users, including cyclists, motorcyclists, and motorists.

TyreSafe chairman Stuart Lovatt said: “Our partnership with Tilly Your Trailer marks an important step in ensuring that all road users – including those in rural and agricultural environments – prioritise tyre safety.”

Tilly Your Trailer is a nationally recognised inspection scheme, founded by Jane Gurney following the tragic loss of her son Harry Christian-Allan in a trailer-related incident which could have been prevented with proper trailer maintenance.

Annual inspection

The initiative provides a structured annual inspection process to ensure that agricultural trailers meet roadworthiness standards. TyreSafe aims to improve awareness and accessibility to vital safety checks within the agricultural community.

The Tilly scheme sees certified technicians conduct an 18-point check, covering crucial components such as lights, tyres, brakes, drawbars, and chassis. Trailers that pass the inspection receive a Tilly Pass certificate, displayed as proof of compliance.

This initiative will work to embed best practices in tyre maintenance, emphasising the importance of regular checks to prevent incidents caused by tyre failures and mechanical defects.

Shared responsibility

Tilly Your Trailer founder Jane Gurney said: “Farm safety doesn’t stop at the field’s edge. Many agricultural trailers travel on public roads, and ensuring they are roadworthy is a responsibility we all share.”

Working with TyreSafe would expand the reach of the initiative, promoting safer roads for farmers and the wider public. TyreSafe and Tilly Your Trailer provide educational resources, training and guidance on best practices for trailer safety.

The partnership will also work alongside road safety stakeholders to promote compliance with trailer maintenance regulations.

For more details about Tilly Your Trailer and how to obtain a Tilly Pass, visit www.tillypass.co.uk. To learn more about TyreSafe, visit www.tyresafe.org.

Government pledge to ramp up rural policing

The government has pledged to ramp up rural policing after calls to tackle crime in the countryside.

Speaking at an NFU parliamentary reception last month, crime and policing minister Diana Johnson said: “The impact of rural crime isn’t just financial loss – it strikes at the heart of our farming communities and their way of life.”

New funding would boost collaboration across police forces to target organised crime groups stealing farm equipment, said Ms Johnson. “We’re delivering on the Equipment Theft Act, making it harder for criminals to sell stolen farm equipment.”

The forthcoming Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy and Safer Streets Mission were also set to have a positive impact. “We’re determined to ensure the needs of rural communities are met with more visible and responsive neighbourhood policing.”

Earlier, the NFU called for stronger, long-term action to tackle rural crime, highlighting that years of coordinated efforts between police, farmers and government are starting to make a difference (see page 45).

Fly-tipping and dog attacks were still commonplace, said NFU vice president Rachel Hallos. More must be done to build on this momentum and turn progress into lasting change, she added.

The NFU wants strengthened support for the National Rural Crime Unit, improved funding for rural forces and new legislation to keep up with changing criminal methods.

Ms Hallos said: “Our Investment and Innovation Blueprint4 sets out what is needed: better enforcement, properly funded rural policing and the tools to stop these crimes before they happen.”

She added: “Farmers deserve to feel safe in their homes, businesses and fields.”