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FTA wants 45 tons
Page 40
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• The maximum gross weight for goods vehicles in the Common Market should be 45 metric tons rather than the 42 proposed in the latest EEC draft directive, the Freight Transport Association has told the DoE. The Department had asked for FTA comments so that British industry's viewpoint could be taken into account in discussions with the EEC.
Without a 45-metric-ton (about 44.1 imperial tons) permitted maximum it would be impossible in some cases to move containers from railheads or ships by road vehicle, says FTA, and the need for even partial unloading would destroy the whole basis of containerization.
The FTA has also asked that the minimum turning circle outer radius permitted for trucks should be at least 12.5 metres, and not the 12m Proposed, and it rejects the suggested need for a driving-axle to gross weight ratio of 1 to 3.5, saying that Swedish experience shows differential lock and load transfer to be a sufficient answer even up to ratios of 1 to 5 in weight.
The FTA also sees no justification for a statutory height limit (4m is proposed), which would inflict an unnecessary burden on domestic traffic.