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EC study finds that LHVs
Page 10
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provide 'greater benefits'
By Keith Nuthati LONGER, HEAVIER vehicles (LHVs) up to 60 tonnes and 25.25m could appear on roads across the Continent if the European Commission has its way.
An official review of LHVs will be conducted this year after a pan-Euro research consortium concluded that the maximum size and weight of lorries within the EU should be allowed to rise.
The researchers found that choosing the largest increase under consideration (60 tonnes and 25.25m) had a "greater benefit".
Their report declares: "Society has to spend less money for transporting the same goods.
"LHVs seem to be more costeffective than current HG Vs. They transport more tonnes per km with less vehicles per km." It adds that an increased use of LHVs would reduce CO, emissions through a corresponding reduction in truck miles The European Commission, which commissioned the report, says the haulage industry will have "adequate time to comment", but that it is necessary it "undertakes further analysis during the course of 2009".
Any proposals to raise the maximum size and weight of lorries will require approval from the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.
Within the UK, LHVs have received the backing of the Freight Transport Association and Andrew Tinkler, chief executive of Stobart Group. over the past year. However, The Department for Transport (MT) is only considering authorising longer semi-trailers as part of its freight strategy Monger trailers back on DfF's agenda', CM 23 October 2008).
Meanwhile, Freight on Rail campaigner Philippa Edmunds says the study is flawed: "The environmental and economic benefits it identifies are illusory and ignore the safety [risks) and intrusion these massive vehicles would bring."
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