EC plans for 44-tonners
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• UK hauliers could be allowed to run at 44-tonne artics within a year. This follows the decision by the European Commission to prepare a new directive to be put to the Council of Ministers byDecember.
The move is intended to to make cabotage fairer across Europe.
Representatives from EC members' Governments agreed to draft an amendment to EC Directive 85/3 on Weights and Dimensions that would allow member states to introduce 44 tonnes on six axles with road friendly suspension. The directive currently allows 40 tonnes on five axles.
Also in the amendment is a proposal to set a maximum vehicle width of 2.55m, representing an increase of 50mm for the UK. This is intended to help loading practices. The reefer width limit will remain at 2.60m.
The Commission will also propose harmonising the way lengths of vehicles are measured across Europe. It wants to set length limits which will remain as they are now but will exclude mirrors and indicators.
The proposals will apply only to new vehicles; if accepted by EC transport ministers they could be on the statute books within a year.