All systems go for bigger reefers
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• The Council of Transport Ministers has approved an increase in the maximum width of refrigerated trailers to 2,600mm. At their meeting in Brussels this week, ministers said that the change is designed to allow trailers to accommodate two standard international-size pallets sideby-side.
Only Denmark objected to the increase, on road safety grounds — but it did not pursue the matter at the meeting.
European Commission officials have now been instructed to draft a Community directive Wider reefer trailers — of 2.6m — have been agreed by transport ministers in Brussels. to bring the change into force.
The Road Haulage Association says it is delighted with the increase, and that the move is in line with its strongest recommendations to the Department of Transport, which currently agrees on a 2,580mm maximum reefer width. The RHA says it is confident that the DTp, with its publicly-stated support for European liberalisation, will take fast action to ensure that the new 2,600mrn width limit is included in the UK's Construction and Use Regulations.