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Labour manifesto rejects 44-tonners

10th April 1997, Page 6
10th April 1997
Page 6
Page 6, 10th April 1997 — Labour manifesto rejects 44-tonners
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• Labour is opposed to an increase in maximum truck weights to 44 tonnes, says the party's manifesto.

Although shadow ministers have indicated in the past that they did not favour 44 tonnes, this is the first time the position has been made so clear. "We remain unpersuaded by the case for heavier, 44tonne lorries mooted by the Conservatives," says the manifesto. "Our concern is that they would prove dangerous and damaging to the environment."

This policy, which could leave room for the party to be persuaded otherwise in future, has been condemned as short sighted and ill-informed by industry insid ers. The Freight Transport Association says: "The Labour party has failed to appreciate the economic and environmental benefits of moving to 44 tonnes. In the short term we must use every opportunity to get the most out of the road system and heavier lorries are a part of that."

The Conservatives have been moving towards allowing more widespread use of 44-tonners, although the process is a slow one.

In March the Government said it would allow piggyback trailers to operate to railheads at 44 tonnes on six axles, although piggyback services have not yet begun in Britain. The only 44-tonners are those carrying containers or swap bodies directly to or from rail terminals for intermodal journeys using a combination of road and rail. Transport Minister Sir George Young would like to extend this to journeys to and from ports, although no commitments are made in the Tory manifesto (see panel, above).


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