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Operators still only want 15.65m longer semi

31st October 2013
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Page 4, 31st October 2013 — Operators still only want 15.65m longer semi
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

By Ashleigh Wight

TRANSPORT MINISTER Robert Goodwill MP has revealed a boom in longer semi-trailer applications since the trial was revised in September, although it appears operators still only have eyes for the longer 15.65m variant. Goodwill revealed at last week's Commercial Vehicle Forum that, since changes were made to open up the process to all operators — including allowing them to choose which of the two lengths they wished to run (CM19 September) — the Department for Transport (DfT) had received a rush of applications from operators planning to place their orders with

manufacturers within the required six-month permit limit.

A DfT spokeswoman said 680 applications had been received since the changes were made, a huge leap compared with just 550 on the road before the revisions to the stalled trial came into force.

However, 615 of these new applications are to run 15.65m trailers, with just 65 applications received for the shorter 14.6m variant.

This suggests no change in demand levels for the unloved 14.6m longer semi-trailer, which before this summer's changes was languishing behind its longer cousin with just over 100 of them on the road.

"Longer trailers enable freight companies to transport more goods more efficiently, and should give significant economic and environmental benefits," Goodwill said at the forum. "We want to maximise their use during the trial to ensure we assess the benefits properly, therefore we have recently changed the allocation procedure to better match supply and demand."

Despite this position, the DfT has to date not said whether the prospect of an ongoing trial consisting mainly of 15.65m longer semi-trailers and relatively few 14.6m versions will adversely affect the operational data it ultimately generates.


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