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Mega-truck trials are blocked — for now
Page 10
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TRANSPORT MINISTER Dr Stephen Ladyman has refused to allow trials of heavier, longer trucks on UK roads.
Despite the setback, megatruck pioneers such as Dick Denby and Stan Robinson plan to carry on lobbying for tests of 60 and 80-tonners.
The head of transport technology at the Department for Transport says: "More work needs to be done to look at axle loadings for various designs of [these larger vehicles] and the impact on infrastructure.
"The previous increase to 44 tonnes had assumed vehicles would be permitted to use the whole of the road network. If operation of [heavier vehicles] were to depend on the designation of some form of `sub-net
work'... then the department needs to study this premise..."
The Road Haulage Association's chief executive, Roger King, admits many hauliers are "suspicious that larger trucks mean lower rates per tonne".
Robinson blames this "disharmony" for the reIection of mega
truck trials: This time last year the RHA national board was behind us. Then in June or July there was a meeting and some said it's not fair on those who can't run roadtrains."
Denby says the decision suggests that the government might invite consultants to study the proposals further: "The door is open but we have to keep knocking." christopher.tindall@ rbi.co.uk