UK could be in line for a 44-tonne limit
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• The introduction of 44tonners in the UK has not been ruled out by the European Commission, which predicts a 33% growth in international freight traffic over the next 10 years.
Higher weights could be linked to higher specification vehicles with improved suspensions, John Hugh Rees, head of the transport directorate's road transport division told the Road Haulage Association's international group last week.
He says the Commission "clearly must take account of 44-tonners", but adds "it would be foolish of me to say we are making proposals".
His comments in Belgium come after another top Corn
mission official John Berry said that provided a vehicle had six axles, an overall length of at least 15m, and a drive axle not exceeding 10.5 tonnes, there was no reason why gross vehicle weights could not rise to 44 or even 46 tonnes (CM 25-31 October 1990). "Such a vehicle would be more efficient and less damaging to the infrastructure than current lighter vehicles that use the 11.5 tonne or heavier drive axles," said Berry.
Rees also told RHA delegates that Eastern Europe will offer great potential — he said that the Commission planned to give hauliers "complete freedom" to operate overseas from January 1993.