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Turmoil On The Rhine

27th September 1957
Page 36
Page 36, 27th September 1957 — Turmoil On The Rhine
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D OAD transport in West Germany is in a state of profound disquiet. It stems from the policy of an allegedly pro-railway Minister of Transport, Dr. Ing. H. Ch. Seebohm, who is generally thought to be intent upon killing the road transport industry. He proposes to introduce on January 1 next drastic changes in weight and dimension restrictions on new vehicles, which will be applied after July 1, 1960, to all vehicles, whether based in West Germany or outside.

For instance, the gross weight of a four-wheeler is to be reduced from 14 tons to 12 tons, and the maximum rear-axle load to 8 tons. Six-wheelers will be limited to 18 tons gross. These standards compare unfavourably with British practice. The gross train weight of any outfit will be reduced from 40 tons to 24 tons, although it is rumoured that 32 tons may ultimately be allowed.

Germany has for many years been a country of enormous trailer outfits, which were once allowed to extend to a length of 72 ft. This figure was later reduced to 59 ft. and from January 1 will be 46 ft. Moreover, the weight of the trailer will not be allowed to exceed that of the prime mover, which will be a complete reversal of common practice in Germany. It is generally thought in West Germany that drawbar-trailer working will come to an end and that the articulated outfit, which will be permitted a maximum length of 42 ft. 6 in., will replace it.

On the credit side of the account is a proposed regulation which will require all vehicles to have engines developing at least 6 b.h.p. per ton of gross weight.

Wishful thinking has created the hope that Dr. Seebohm may be transferred to another post, and that his proposals will be quashed before they become effective. Meanwhile, manufacturers are reluctant to alter their designs and operators are loth to-buy new vehicles.

If the new regulations are introduced, the effect on German design will be profound. It will veer closer to British practice than has ever been the case before. European operators of international services passing through West Germany on routes of, perhaps, 1,000 miles foresee that they will have difficulty in paying their way on the restricted loads permitted. Thus, domestic policy will have repercussions extending far beyond its country of origin.

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