TyreSafe, UK’s leading tyre safety charity, has confirmed Leeds City Council as its newest local authority partner, formalising a joint mission to elevate tyre maintenance standards and driver safety throughout the metropolitan area.

This collaboration builds upon the Council’s existing road safety framework, targeting a diverse population of 825,000 residents and a substantial daily commuter workforce of 470,000 individuals, all navigating the city’s congested transport corridors. The initiative also strategically engages the significant student demographic, encompassing over 75,000 individuals across four universities, with a particular focus on influencing younger and novice motorists.

During the recent Tyre Safety Month in October, the Council executed a dual-pronged awareness campaign. Staff collaborated with National Highways at the White Rose Shopping Centre to offer live tread depth demonstrations and defect identification, while citywide variable message signs reinforced the importance of routine tyre checks. These actions exemplify the Council’s proactive approach to mitigating vehicular hazards and fostering enduring safe driving behaviours across Leeds.

Councillor Peter Carlill, Leeds City Council’s executive member for transport and planning, said, “Achieving our Vision Zero ambition requires action across every aspect of road safety. Partnering with TyreSafe allows us to strengthen the ‘Safe Vehicles’ element of our strategy by giving drivers across Leeds clear, practical tools to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy. Vehicle maintenance is a fundamental, preventative step in reducing risk on our roads. Through our ongoing use of VMS messaging and direct community engagement, we are committed to making routine checks second nature for everyone driving in Leeds.”

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “We are delighted to welcome Leeds City Council as a TyreSafe supporter. Their proactive approach to driver education that commenced during Tyre Safety Month, and as an ongoing initiative shows a real dedication to protecting road users. With high traffic volumes, simple tyre checks can make a critical difference in keeping drivers safe. By joining TyreSafe, Leeds City Council is helping to amplify that message and ensure communities across the city have access to clear, practical tyre safety guidance. We look forward to working together to build on this important foundation.”

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Michelin has broadened its agricultural trailer tyre lineup with the launch of the MICHELIN WORKXBIB. Designed primarily for tipping trailers, slurry tankers, manure spreaders and similar farm equipment, the new addition complements the existing MICHELIN TRAILXBIB, which features the company’s patented Ultraflex technology for reduced soil compaction.

Engineered to handle the demands of trailer platforms, the WORKXBIB combines endurance, high load capacity and reliability for intensive road use. It supports loads of up to 6,500 kg at speeds of 65 kmph and is offered in a size range tailored to current vehicles, drawing on Michelin’s innovation to deliver dependable performance.

The tyre’s flat crown and reinforced, serrated shoulders provide a larger footprint, promoting stability even under heavy loads and at high speed. A steel-belted crown, robust carcass and bead area, and a high-performance rubber compound enhance puncture resistance. Serrated shoulders improve stability on sloping ground, while large tread blocks self-clean to reduce maintenance. This design delivers up to 80 percent longer life than the previous generation of Michelin trailer products.

For contractors and farm owners, the result is fewer tyre replacement and maintenance stops, greater equipment availability and better-controlled operating costs. The replacement market rollout begins with size 600/55 R26.5 in October 2026, followed by three additional sizes in the second quarter of 2027: 650/55 R26.5, 600/60 R30.5 and 560/60 R22.5.

Tom Saunders, Agricultural Beyond Road Customer Engineering Support Manager at Michelin, said, “In a sector marked by increasingly intensive road use and demanding field performance, we’ve developed the MICHELIN WORKXBIB for contractors and farmers. Our latest fitment has a wide range of applications from public works and civil engineering through to haulage and livestock farming.”

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Tegeta Green Planet participated in a Circular Economy Action Platform meeting hosted by the UN Global Compact Network Georgia on 6 October. The session examined packaging waste management and the need for technical regulation from a business standpoint, with participants exploring existing practices and the challenges tied to the issue.

Attendees stressed that an effective waste management system would serve environmental goals while giving businesses a clear and predictable operating environment. Shalva Akhvlediani, Director of Tegeta Green Planet, presented the company’s vision and hands-on experience. Discussion topics included the Extended Producer Responsibility system, the role of businesses in waste management and practical obstacles to advancing a circular economy in Georgia.

As an EPR organisation, Tegeta Green Planet helps producers and importers meet their environmental obligations and supports an effective waste chain spanning collection, proper treatment and conversion into a resource. Akhvlediani detailed the company’s work with used tyres, waste oils and automotive batteries, noting that a sustainable system demands coordinated cooperation among businesses, government and other stakeholders alongside practical experience.

The meeting underscored the value of technical regulation, with clear requirements and strong enforcement seen as ways to develop waste management, reinforce responsible business practices and encourage more efficient resource use. Developing a circular economy remains a key focus for Tegeta Green Planet, which continues working with the business, public and educational sectors so that waste management moves beyond regulatory compliance toward reuse and recycling opportunities.

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TyreSafe, UK’s leading tyre safety charity, has raised concerns that overconfidence among UK motorists could be concealing a serious road safety problem. Fresh research indicates a notable gap between how drivers rate their own abilities and their actual vehicle maintenance habits. While 42 percent of drivers consider themselves above average at handling emergencies, that figure rises to 51 percent among men. Yet 1 in 10 has never examined tyre pressure or tread depth, and merely a quarter have done so within the previous month.

Regional patterns remain broadly similar, though behavioural differences point to inconsistent awareness and upkeep across the country. The organisation stresses that tyres represent the sole contact between a vehicle and the road, meaning even minor defects can materially affect braking, grip and control. TyreSafe is therefore urging drivers to incorporate regular tyre checks into their routines and to act before they react.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “Confidence is not a substitute for preparation. No matter how skilled a driver believes they are, tyres ultimately determine how a vehicle performs in an emergency. You cannot outdrive poor tyre condition. Regular checks are essential to ensure your vehicle responds as expected when it matters most.”

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Hankook Tire will debut at Euro Bus Expo in 2026, strengthening its presence in the UK passenger transport sector. The event runs from 3–5 November at the NEC Birmingham, bringing together operators, manufacturers, suppliers and decision-makers for three days of innovation and networking.

With over 190 exhibitors and more than 7,000 visitors expected, the exhibition showcases full-size buses, coaches, mini vehicles, advanced technologies and services, letting attendees connect with key suppliers across the global supply chain.

At stand 38, Hankook Tyre UK will present its latest bus and coach tyres, focusing on innovation, sustainability and performance. Highlights include the Smart Touring AL22 for long-distance coaches, the urban Smart City AU04+ and AU06 with measurable sidewall protection, the Laufenn LF60 for mixed-use applications and the new e-Smart City AU56 EV tyre engineered for low rolling resistance, reduced noise and higher electric vehicle loads.

With partner Vaculug, Hankook will launch the LB01, a first-of-its-kind hot-cure remoulded urban bus tyre, reinforcing its total tyre solutions role and circular economy commitment. Vaculug’s sustainable manufacturing expertise, recently recognised with the King’s Award for Enterprise, supports the collaboration. The 2026 edition also offers seminars and technical sessions on industry trends and greener transport, giving Hankook a platform to boost visibility and reinforce its leadership in the commercial bus and coach tyre market.

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