DOT to consult on move to 44 tonnes
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by Miles Brignall • UK hauliers could soon be operating 44tonne trucks to and from ports, as well as on piggyback road/rail operations—and from the beginning of 1999 the domestic weight limit is expected to rise from 38 to 40 tonnes.
An unrestricted limit of 44 tonnes on six axles is also among proposals in the Government's latest consultation paper on lorry weights. Roads Minister John Watts says the proposals would not lead to bigger trucks; he simply wants to allow heavier vehicles on more axles.
Under European law from 1 January 1999 British hauliers on international journeys will be allowed to run at 40 tonnes on five axles. The Government is expected to allow all UK operators to go to 40 tonnes on six axles: such vehicles do 45% less damage to the roads than their five-axled equivalents.
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Although he is consulting on whether to go to 44 tonnes for general haulage, Watts says this is unlikely to be implemented immediately because the Government is keen to retain a weight advantage for operators on road/rail operations. He wants this premium to be extended to ports where it can shown that a significant part of the journey is undertaken by sea. Nevertheless a general six-axle 44-tonne limit could be in place by 2001.
The Freight Transport Association welcomes the move and will be pressing for a general 44-tonne limit, arguing that a weight advantage is not the only way to encourage intermodal operations. However, a decision must be made soon to allow operators buying new vehicles to prepare for future changes, says the FTA.
Copies of the consultation document are available from the DOT on 0171 271 4524. Hauliers have until 14 February 1997 to write to the DOT with their views at: Zone 2/11 Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1 4DR.