Ready to research 44-tonner launch
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• by Karon Miles An organisation set up by the Government to look into raising the domestic HGV weight limit to 44 tonnes should be ready to start work by the summer.
The Commission for Integrated Transport is an independent panel of up to 15 members. It will be set up in the spring, and will begin to consider the case for allowing 44-tonners on six axles for general use.
Officials at the Department of Transport are currently considering applications for the post of chair and vice chair of the commission as well as "expressions of interest" for its other dozen posts.
Julia Clarke, director of the, railfreig,ht users body Rail Freight Group, is one of those who has applied for ajob.
The Government announced the formation of the commission and its decision to look at the 44-tonne issue in the trans port white paper it published last summer.
At the time it also said it would not allow 44 tonnes before 2003. The Commission will consider if the higher weight should be phased in, and whether the full 44 tonnes should only be open to HOW meeting the "highest standards of emissions".
The commission will also look at ways to protect the fledgling railfreight market from the attack that lower-cost 44tonne operation could bring, and it will report on any bridge strengthening necessary to cope with the heavier vehicles.
The County Surveyors' Society says 44 tonnes would be no tougher on bridges than the 40-tonners which were introduced in January. But strengthening to cope with 40 tonners on non-strategic routes might not be completed until 2010.
The commission will consult widely before making its recommendations to ministers.
It will also offer advice on national road traffic and public transport targets, and on progress on the adoption of green transport plans.