DOT figures back calls for 44-tonners
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• The campaign to allow sixaxle 44-tonners on UK roads received a boost this week with the release of figures proving that vehicles running 11.5 tonnes drive axles do 44% more damage to the roads.
The Department of Transport figures confirm all the pro-44tonne lobby's arguments that road damage is linked to axle weights rather than total vehicle weight.
The current UK axle limit is 10.5 tonnes because DOT engineers say many bridges in the UK cannot take the extra weight. Five-axle 40-tonners on international work are already allowed to run with drive axles up to 11.5 tonnes in the rest of the EU. France allows trucks on domestic journeys to run at 13 tonnes per axle. The Freight Transport Association, a veteran campaigner for 44-tonners, says road wear is a key factor in favour of the six axled trucks, which would allow greater load distribution. • Any change to gross vehicle weights could be introduced relatively easily by modifying the constructions and use regulations, says the DOT. In 1980 the Armitage report recommending, among other things, a move to 44 tonnes on six axles but the Government settled on a 38t limit. The 10.5t axle limit was imposed in 1985. In 1999 all trucks on international work in the UK will be allowed to run at 40 tonnes on five axles: work is under way to prepare UK bridges for the extra load.