Some hauliers
will be allowed to use longer trailers under plans to boost growth
published today by Roads Minister Mike Penning.
Following consultation on proposals to allow a two metre increase
in the length of articulated lorries, the Department for Transport
is allowing a ten-year trial of up to 900 trailers at an increased
length of 2.05 metres, and 900 at an increase of one metre. The
longer lorries will operate within the existing weight limit of 44 tonnes.
The trial is expected to provide a £33m boost to the haulage
industry as the longer vehicles provide up to 13% more loading
space – allowing fewer journeys to transport the same amount of
goods - without compromising safety.
Mike Penning said:
"The road haulage industry is vital to the growth of our
economy. By allowing companies to use one truck where they may
have previously needed to send two, we can help the sector improve
efficiency and save money – which should in turn benefit consumers.
"Independent research showed the potential
environmental, safety and congestion benefits of longer trailers
and this voluntary trial will give industry the opportunity to
demonstrate how this works in practice.
"The trial will be subject to rigorous annual
assessments and will be closely and independently monitored
throughout so that any concerns are addressed quickly."
The consultation responses indicated that haulage operators would
like the option to choose between different trailer lengths
depending on the type of operation they are carrying out.
The changes would make the total permitted length for articulated
lorries 18.55 metres; the current maximum length for lorries using
a truck and drawbar trailer is 18.75 metres. The Government has
ruled out any further increase in length.
The response to the consultation can be found here: www.dft.gov.uk/publications
Notes to Editors
1. Current UK regulations limit the maximum loading length of
semi-trailers to 13.6 metres. Under the trial, the Department will
be permitting the limited use of semi-trailers with a maximum
loading length up to 15.65 metres. This is the same loading length
currently allowed for rigid truck / drawbar trailer combination
vehicles. 2. The maximum permitted length of articulated lorries
drawing the longer semi-trailers will be 18.55 metres. This
compares to 18.75 metres for the rigid truck / drawbar trailer
combination vehicles mentioned above. 3. The Government is not
permitting any increase in the current maximum gross vehicle
weight of 44 tonnes. It has also ruled out the introduction of
“gigaliners” – lorry combinations of 25 metres and above. 4. The
Government had also consulted on the possibility of increasing the
length of cabs to allow a more aerodynamic frontal design.
However, it was clear from the consultation that there is unlikely
to be significant commercial demand for aerodynamic frontal
designs at present. The Government therefore does not intend to
take this any further at this time, but will keep the situation
under review.
Contacts:
DfT Press Office - Roads
Phone: DfT Press Office 020 7944 3066
nds.dft@coi.gsi.gov.uk