Time to scrap the 14.6m Longer semi?
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By Chris Tindall THE RESTRICTION on licences for the two longer semi-trailer variants being trialled should be scrapped due to a lack of interest in the 14.6m trailer, according to manufacturer Lawrence David.
Sales director Andy Dodge said he was concerned the trial was in danger of going "horribly wrong" if poor take-up of the shorter length led to a lack of useful data emerging. He added that hauliers should be given the choice of when to trial their allocated trailers and shouldn't be pressured by ministers' deadlines.
He said firms were put off by the cost of the 14.6m trailers against existing lengths, and were choosing the longer length to get maximum benefits. "Customers [want the] 15.65m licences but can't get them," he added. "They should have issued 1,800 licences and told hauliers 'it's your choice'. Colin Broster, financial director at North Wales haulier FTS Hatswell, said the trial hadn't been adequately thought out: "Who wants to invest £20,000 in a trailer that could be worthless in the next 10 years? And why buy 14.6m when 15.65m could become the norm? That devalues them significantly."
The Department for Transport was unable to respond as CMwent to press but, according to the Vehicle Certification Agency's senior legislation engineer Michael Hepworth, there was "a disproportionate number between the two lengths" of trailer that operators have expressed interest in.
But, he added: "So far this year, there have been quite a few applications for 14.6m. Whether it's that people have been holding back and are now applying, or they couldn't get permits for 15.65m but could for 14.6m, I don't know."