LONGER SEMI-TRAILERS WHERE ARE WE NOW?
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Having rejected full-blown trials of LHVs in late 2008, this June the 011 finallycommissioned a six-month study into the use of longer semi-trailers (LSTs) which is being conducted by a group of consultants drawn from WSP, MDS Transmodal, TRL, MIRA and Cambridge University.
However, speaking at the recent Institute of Grocery Distribution's 'Sustainable Distribution 2009' conference, the DfT's head of freight and logistics Stephen Fidler cautioned: "There's not much point cutting CO2 emissions through using these trailers if they are going to put more freight on the roads from the railways. I can't promise what ministers will do with the report but we view the carbon agenda as important."
Henderson reckons: 'I'm optimistic on longer trailers 011 the basics of physics but not that they [the DfT] will do anything about it, it will need a bit of a shake up on climate change or fuel prices before it happens. Yet there's no reason under the directive I can see why we shouldn't be able to run trials even if we get things wrong. That's the whole point, we've got to try ideas and pick from those the best ones and try again."
Meanwhile, a DfT spokeswoman says: "Although the number of businesses that the consultants are able to talk to directly will inevitably be limited, any business can indicate their willingness to participate by emailing freight@dft.gai.gov.uk