GOVERNMENT PAVES THE WAY FOR MEGA LORRIES

15 RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2011 :: RMTnews T he ConDem coalition government has announced plans to allow an increase in the length of HGVs of up to almost seven feet (2.05 metres). Existing maximum length for HGV semi-trailer is 54 feet (16.50 metres) but the Department of Transport has commissioned research, due for publication, to evaluate increasing trailer lengths by up to 2.05 metres, thereby increasing HGV length to 18.55 metres (61 feet). Any increase in semi-trailer length seriously risks opening up the current circulation EU Directive 96/53 EC. Once opened, amendments can be made for increasing the length and weight which could lead to mega trucks of 25.5 metres and up to 60 tonnes in weight coming to the UK. Philippa Edmunds of Freight on Rail said that such an approach not only ran counter to government policies to reduce freight’s emissions and improve road safety but risked ushering in mega trucks of 25 metres 82 feet from Europe, to which the coalition has explicitly said it was opposed. “Does the coalition government want to be blamed for mega trucks coming to the UK?” she said. The London bendy bus is being phased out at considerable public expense due to road safety concerns. Bendy buses, at 18 metres, are a similar length to the new proposed HGV length, and caused more than twice as many injuries as other buses. “It seems a perverse decision to increase lorry lengths. “Instead, the government should be working with the industry to improve efficiency of existing HGVs, improve compliance with existing road regulations instead of undermining low carbon energy efficient safe rail, which reduces long distance road congestion,” Philippa Edmunds said. She pointed out that rail freight produces 70 per cent less carbon dioxide emissions than the equivalent road journey and an aggregates train can remove up to 160 HGVs from roads. HGVs are also more than three times more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than cars on major roads, due to a combination of size, lack of proper enforcement of drivers’ hours, vehicle overloading and differing foreign operating standards. “Previous increases in lorry lengths have led to more HGVs driving around with less cargo – currently one in four lorries on our roads is empty and many more only partially loaded. “This is the reverse of what was claimed would happen by the proponents of longer HGVs, who are using the same old flawed arguments again. “The question is will the road haulage industry ever stop asking for bigger and heavier lorries?” she said. EU HARMONISATION OF HGV DIMENSIONS The current directive which governs maximum HGV dimensions HGV for manufacturers, (vehicle type approval 92/27/EC for commercial vehicles), is being revised as part of EU harmonisation of general safety of motor vehicles. Supporters of longer and heavier lorries will push to get the dimensions increased to 25 metres and 60 tonnes in this directive and then get it replicated in the directive which dictates where vehicles can go in the EU directive EC 96/53. Currently member states can vary dimensions but this new regulation would end variations and would mean that member states could no longer refuse vehicles approved elsewhere in the EU. For more information go to website www.freightonrail.org.uk GOVERNMENT PAVES THE WAY FOR MEGA LORRIES