NEW WEIGHTS BY AUGUST?
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From a Special Correspondent " VUE are anxious to try and keep to
VI' our declared timetable for the introduction of new vehicle weights and dimensions regulations; if you press for changes in the proposals, then there will be delay "—that, in essence, was the position taken by the Ministry of Transport at the meeting with representatives of the Road Haulage Association and Traders Road Transport Association last week. This timetable is presumably the "within 12 months from now" which the Ministry gave as its target last August (when it announced that the first set of weights proposals had been withdrawn for reconsideration) so operators can expect the new lengths, widths and weight ratings to be in force by late summer this year.
In face of the Ministry's attitude. which was reasonable in the circumstances, the associations did not press their suggested amendments too strongly, but they did ask again for the new regulations to apply to those existing vehicles designed for heavier loads and they requested a relaxation of the proposed axle spacing. The Ministry once more pointed to .the problem Of weak bridges.
The T.R.T.A. asked that the proposed restriction to 7 ft. 6 in, width of trailers hauled by tractive units under 3 tons he relaxed; for interchangeability it was important that semi-trailers should be 8 ft. 24in. wide.
The Ministry noted these views.