Q We are Continental-based operators with 33ft-long semi-trailers which are 8ft
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2in. wide, have axles with a 7ft spread and are equipped with two-line air braking. On the Continent they are allowed to run at up to 24 tons per trailer. We wish to use these for traffic into England but have been told that they will require side marker lights, must be –plated" and that, with only a two-line air braking system the maximum permissible weight will be reduced if they are to be hauled by British contractors' vehicles. Our feeling is that, with reciprocal agreements between our country and the UK, we are allowed to operate these trailers in England with a maximum trailer weight of 24 tons. If we obtain short-term transport licences for operation in England, through our own national transport authority, these would surely be for operation in conformity with our own regulations? We wonder whether it would be permissible to send a tractive unit complete with semi-trailer to the UK and employ an English driver for collection and delivery work. We would be grateful for your advice.
AThe problem here really is quite compli
cated and the questions of weight and meeting other British regulations are linked. The maximum train weight at which you will be able to operate in Britain, will, in our view, be 30 tons. The actual figure depends on the distance between the centre line of the front axle and that of the rearmost trailer axle and if it is between 32ft and 38ft (as I assume), 30 tons is the limit for the outfit. The maximum trailer weight is not separately assessed for an unplated example, but the axle and bogie weight limits apply.
Even to be allowed this figure the outfit would have to comply with certain British requirements called for in the case of "a temporarily imported vehicle". It must not be registered in the UK, it must comply with Article 21 and paragraph VI ) of Article 22 of the Convention on Road Traffic concluded at Geneva on September 19, 1949, and Part I and Part III of-Annex 6 to that Convention ; or paragraphs I, III and VIII of Article 3 of the International Convention relative to Motor Traffic concluded at Paris on April 24, 1926: it must carry a plate issued by the competent authority in the country where it is registered indicating the permissible maximum weight for the vehicle in that country ; and, finally, have brakes which as applied by one means of operation have a total braking efficiency of not less than 50 per cent, and which as applied by a second independent means of operation or as applied on a failure in the case of a split braking system lwhere the axles are fed by circuits completely independent of each other including the reservoirs) have a total braking efficiency of not less than 25 per cent.
If the outfit does not meet the stipulations outlined it will be limited to the previous maximum gross weight in this country (24 tons). The explanation of what ' 'plated " means is indicated in the foregoing paragraph.
Dimensionally your trailers meet the British standards but they will need side marker lights as you have been advised. These are lamps fitted to both sides of the trailer showing a white light to the front and red to the rear and in the case of a semi-trailer measuring more than 30ft, each has to be within 5ft of the centre of the trailer's length.
Your two-line air-pressure system will be accepted provided that the requirements referred to can be met, but it is important to note that if used with a British-registered tractive unit British regulations will have to be met fully.
With regard to your question about shortterm transport licences, these are obtainable only for vehicles not registered in this country. This would preclude your using a Britishregistered tractive unit with your trailer. Shortterm licences for a vehicle to be used in the UK cannot be obtained abroad. Application has to be made to the Metropolitan Traffic Area, Government Buildings, Bromyard Avenue, Acton, London, W3.