EEC light spray plans
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• A 3.5-tonne weight threshold for the fitting of spray suppression equipment is being considered by the EEC Commission, warns VIA president Garry Turvey.
If approved by EEC transport ministers the new threshold would mean a bonanza for spray suppression manufacturers, but a hefty burden for hauliers, as it would cost an estimated £11.2 million to equip the 165,000 vehicles that Department of Transport figures indicate would be affected by the move.
According to Turvey the commission is preparing draft regulations at the moment and proposals are expected to be put to EEC transport ministers before the end of the year.
The FTA plans to advise the commission about the work done on spray suppression in this country: "We shall urge the commission not to fall into the trap of believing we have found the solution to the problem of spray suppression," says Turvey. "We haven't found the solution and we are very anxious the views of the equipment manufacturers are not taken without qualification."
The proposals should not cause any problems for operators of vehicles above 12 tonnes, says Turvey, since the existing British spray suppression regulations comply with the legislation proposed by the commission for this weight. Operators of smaller commercial vehicles face bills of around £40 per axle to fit the anti-spray equipment.
British hauliers will not be alone in fighting the proposals. Already operators in Spain, Greece and Italy are up in arms about spray suppression legislation being introduced in their 'countries.