RHA even heavier on top-weights issue
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A NEW MEMORANDUM urging Mrs Thatcher's Government to move towards increased vehicle weights has been sent to the Transport Minister Norman Fowler by the Road Haulage Association.
The RHA would like the Government to adopt immediately the proposals of the EEC Commission on topweight vehicles. This would permit 44-tonne vehicles to circulate freely within the EEC member countries on international journeys, whatever national regulations might say.
The measure would be practical and would increase the efficiency of the heavy vehicle and save valuable fuel, says the RHA. Adoption of the proposals would also work in the best interests of the British economy.
The number of heavy vehicles on British roads would be reduced by the heavier vehicles allowed on the roads. For each 125 vehicles at 32 tons gvw there would be 100 vehicles at 40 tonnes — and they would each be operating at fuel savings of around 12 to 15 per cent, says the RHA.
RHA has pointed out that the heavier lorry will not necessarily be bigger as most of today's vehicles are plated at at least 38 tons but are running at least partially empty.
The memo explains that five-axle vehicles operating at 38 to 40 tonnes would cause no more damage to roads than the present four-axle 32 tonners, and cites research done by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory.
Handling costs would be reduced for operators using containers because those that are now unloaded or partially unloaded on arrival in Britain in order to comply with UK weight regulations could be put straight on the vehicle for delivery.
The news of RHA's appeal to the Minister follows the publication of the Freight Transport Association report The Case for the Heavier Lorry which is aimed at the public as an educational document.
An FTA spokesman told CM that the document was aimed at righting a few misconeptions "but the ultimate aim is to persuade the Government to increase the maximum vehicle weight."
FTA has welcomed the idea of a Government inquiry into vehicle weights and it said that the new report was aimed at taking a few of the fears of the public out of the question of vehicle weights.
The spokesman added that the timing of the report had been said to be "cheeky" but he said that it was due to be released before the fall of the Labour Government and had been released as soon as possible afterwards.
But both organisations were disappointed by the Queen's Speech on Tuesday when there was no mention of any changes in the rules on vehicle weights — or any other changes in transport regulations.