Time to go longer
Page 2
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If you asked the general public the following question: ‘Is the permitted trailer length for an HGV in the UK a) 15.65m b) 14.55m or c) 13.6m?’, the majority probably wouldn’t have a clue. But if you asked them: ‘Do you want to see fewer lorries on the roads, and big businesses to reduce carbon emissions?’, I bet the overwhelming answer would be ‘yes’.
The industry remains on tenterhooks over the Department for Transport’s (DfT) impending announcement on a potential increase in trailer length.
Details remain sketchy even though the DfT says there is a case, and the Road Haulage Association is rightly becoming slightly twitchy at the lack of details (see p6), although it believes a permitted trailer length of 15.65m could be on the cards.
Meanwhile, CM met with Stobart Group last week to discuss its detailed plans for increased trailer length if, and when, the DfT is ready to make the change.
Surprisingly, Stobart is not looking to go the whole hog. An extra 95cm in length (the same length as a trailer/ forklift combination) gives a 13% increase in cage capacity and an 8% increase in pallet capacity.
On certain contracts, this translates to a 13% and 8% reduction, respectively, in the number of trucks required to fulfil the contract.
Stobart is presenting a well-reasoned case to reduce congestion, carbon emissions and its use of fuel through technical innovation. Other operators should have the chance too. It is time the DfT, and the public at large, listened.
Christopher Walton