Weights and Dimensions No Early Decision Likely
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BY H. B. COTTEE
I T looks like being many months before any decision is taken by the Ministry of Transport on the introduction of new weights and dimensions limits for commercial vehicles.
A Ministry spokesman told Me this week that the comments by interested bodies on the Ministry proposals circulated earlier this year have thrown up so many problems that the whole matter is being re-examined very closely and an early announcement is unlikely.
It seems possible that yet another set of proposed weights and sizes might be issued by the Ministry for comment, if the present re-examination should lead to any major changes compared with the earlier proposals; progress of the E.E.C. countries towards standardization could also have an effect and it has been suggested that one aspect of the European proposals which may he interesting our own Ministry is the stipulation of maximum turning circles in lieu of overall lengths in some cases. It will be remembered that one of the strongest objections to the linking of gross weights to axle spacings in the Ministry proposals for eight-wheeled rigids was that absurdly big turning circles would result.
Whether or not further proposals are circulated before new weights and dimensions limits are laid down, it now seems almost certain that no new regulations will be brought into effect in this field this year.