'Wise men' get heavy
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Amanda Bradbury • A group of "wise men" appointed by The European Commission is understood to be looking at the introduction of 48tonne vehicles across the union.
The group was due to meet Commission weights and dimensions officials in Transport's DG VII earlier this week.
The idea is bound to cause controversy—offi cials fear the Commission's draft proposal on 44-tonne vehicles could have a rough ride through the European Parliament.
The group of nine, set up last June by Transport Commissioner Abel Matutes, will publish its list of "areas of concern" in the next few days.
The group includes hauliers, officials and union representatives. It is considered influential by Commission officials and includes the DirectorGeneral of Transport (DG VII), Robert Coleman.
As well as a panEuropean 48-tonne limit for general haulage vehicles the group is believed to have considered: • Further controls on entrants to the road haulage industry; possibly based on a range of tougher technical or financial qualifications; • Further harmonisation of inter-Union transport law, allowing hauliers to compete on equal terms.
One member of the group, Winfried Rockmann of the International Road Transport Union, says its aim is to improve the sector's profitability and the quality of operators.
Rockmann says the group has spent the past six months reviewing Community transport law in the light of practical experience gained in each member country.