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MT cites emissions as excuse to kill off LHVs
Page 6
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By Roanna Avison THE GOVERNMENT'S decision not to allow a trial of longer, heavier vehicles (LHVs) in the UK has left the industry thwarted.
However, the Department for Transport (DfT) says it will consider allowing longer semitrailers, such as KOgel's 14.9m BigMAXX (CM 10 April). Some 300 of these units are already being tested in Germany. Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly says the report by the Transport Research Laboratory and HeriotWatt University shows that LHVs could create too many problems to allow a trial.
The report found that LHVs could increase CO2 emissions because loads would be shifted from rail to road. It also raised concerns about the management of the infrastructure, because LHVs would not be suitable for many roads and junctions. as well as creating new road-safety risks.
Professor Alan McKinnon, from Heriot-Watt University, says it is positive that the government is keeping its options open about a longer semi-trailer, because this could have real benefits for the industry, allowing an extra six pallets to be carried per vehicle.
Roger King, Road Haulage Association (RI-IA) chief executive, says the CO2 issue sounds like "an excuse".
He adds: "We always knew there would be some aspects of the road network that would be unsuitable for LHVs, which was why we wanted to operate a system of registered routes."
However, King says the RHA membership is relaxed about LHVs. "Many of our members felt [their use] could have resulted in a reduction in haulage rates.
Geoff Dossetter, external affairs director at the Freight Transport Association (FTA), adds: "We're disappointed that a possible way of improving transport efficiency was rejected without even a trial."
The two biggest supporters of LHVs in the UK, Dick Denby from Denby Transport and Stan Robinson from Stan Robinson Group, were unavailable for comment as CM went to press.
• See CM next week for further analysis.