Galaxy sees stars over new Mercedes-Benz Actros rigids

Galaxy Insulation & Dry Lining has taken delivery of 8 new Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks for working in London.

The Sheffield-based firm’s 26-tonne rigids with ClassicSpace S-Cabs will operate out of their Uxbridge and West Thurrock sites and have be chosen with Transport for London’s Direct Vision Standard in mind.

The four-star Direct Vision Standard rating will enable Galaxy to work legally in London after the March 2021 deadline for goods vehicles over 12 tonnes achieving the minimum standard and should also enable them to continue operating beyond 2024 when the standard increases to a three-star minimum rating.

The vehicles have been supplied on a finance agreement through Mercedes-Benz from Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Dealer Northside Truck & Van. All are Actros 2532 models with 7.7-litre in-line six-cylinder engines producing 320 hp and are paired to an eight-speed Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated manual transmission.

Six of the rigids are curtainsiders with bodies built by Alloy Bodies, of Manchester, while the other two are fitted with platforms from Wakefield-based Micra Truck Bodies. All eight Actros carry Moffett rear-mounted forklifts.

Independently owned Galaxy Insulation & Dry Lining provides a wide range of insulating and lining board products to construction industry operators and independent builders’ merchants, across most of the UK. It operates more than 30 other Actros six-wheelers from depots in the North and Midlands.

Operations director Richard Walker said: “Given that we were acquiring them for operation in London we worked with Northside’s truck sales executive Steve Cusworth to secure a cab specification that would allow us to achieve the Direct Vision Standard four-star rating.

“Protecting our investment against stricter requirements in the future was certainly a consideration. More importantly, though, we wanted the trucks to be as safe as possible, both for our own staff and other road users. That’s why we’ve added 360-degree camera systems, and scanners to warn drivers of the presence of vulnerable road users on their nearsides.”

The trucks has also been fitted with rear-steer axles, to increase their manoeuvrability when working in London.

“Thanks to his input these new Actros meet all our safety and vision requirements, while the drivers report that the significantly reduced turning circle makes it a lot easier for them to get in and out of locations where access is particularly restricted,” Walker added.