Prospects are good for a 44-tonne limit
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by Rob Wiflock • Extensions to the 44-tonne haulage limit seem to be on the way. Brussels is consulting on a higher limit for port-bound inter. modaltrucks and the UK Government is expected make general weight concessions in its spring white paper.
According to the International Road Transport Union, the European Commission wants to extend the 44-tonne GVW limit to all vehicles used in intermodal transport, The EC is also said to support variations on the standard 13.6n11S0 container.
The EC Transport Commission stresses that discussions are in "very early stages".
Other sources indicate that EC legislation may be overtaken by a UK Government now prepared to put in place a general 44-tonne limit on six-axles. "There are good grounds for thinking that it's under active investigation," says one insider.
This would be a U-turn from the Government's position in its election manifesto, which said: "We remain unpersuaded by the case for heavier, 44-tonne lorries mooted by the Conservatives."
The Freight Transport Association has been spearheading a campaign for a higher weight limit. "The case for 44 tonnes on six axles remains as strong as ever," it says. "And now we're only 12 months from the introduction of 40 tonnes we need a decision on 44 tonnes, irrespective of the white paper."