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Trial decision on 25.25m truc
17th November 2005, Page 6
17th November 2005
Page 6
Page 6, 17th November 2005
— Trial decision on 25.25m truc
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THE DEPARTMENT for Transport (DfT) expects Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman to make his decision on trials of 25.25m trucks by Christmas.
Rumours about an imminent decision over experimental permits for these vehicles have been circulating for some time.
A DfT spokesman says: "I'm not sure if [Ladyman] has finished his deliberations, but yes, the minister would rather get an announcement out before Christmas. I'm not sure if he's made his decision yet." Dick Denby, one of the leading proponents of trials for 60-tonne trucks, says there exists "a lot of goodwill, but also a lot of nervousness.., we're up against misinformation coming out."
But he adds: "I give credit to the DfT for taking this project seriously."
The AA's head of road transport policy, Paul Wattors, says the organisation is "neutral" about trials for these vehicles: "We're prepared to suck it and see. There's nothing [in the plans] to say, 'hey, stop', but how motorists will react I don't know."