EEC fudges on weights
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LEADERS of the European Commission have adjourned until September a decision over new proposals for the weight of a future Euro lorry (CM, July 18). Confusion reigns in Brussels following the European Parliament's vote to reject the Commission's original 44tonne proposal and opt instead for 40 tonnes.
Senior Commission officials are now working on a compromise weight plan which will fall in line with rVIEPs' wishes for a limited period only. EEC Trans port Commissioner George: Kontogeorgis is understood tc be ready to accept 40 tonnes fol about seven years. But after tha he wants to make new proposal with the aim of getting the maxi. mum weight up to 44 tonnes Countries like Britain which im• pose lower limits would be able to reserve compulsory routes foi the bigger Euro lorries.
One reason for the delay ir Brussels is the need to draw up the procedures for defininc these compulsory routes, anc more time is also needed tc discuss changes in technical specifications in the light of nevi, studies. These have shown thal changes to the distance between axles will cause less damage tc bridges.