Operators' Views on Weights and Sizes Proposals
Page 7
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FROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
DEPRESENTATIVES of hauliers and C-licensees have. I understand, made up their minds about the Minister of Transport's proposals for longer, wider and heavier goods vehicles (The Comnierlel Motor, FebruaryD.
They arc due to meet manufacturers' representatives next Tuesday to learn the industry's views and then, next Thursday, will put their case to the Ministry of ranspo rt.
Many of the weights and dimensions sroposals have been agreed, I understand, xtt there are a number of outstanding loints upon which the Minister will be old that operators do not agree.
No objection will be raised by operaors to the suggested new length limits )1! 36 ft. for rigid vehicles and 42 ft. for trticulated vehicles, neither has the proIosed 8-ft. 21-in. wrdth limit been )pposed.
. Whilst accepting the proposed 10-ton Tight limit on any one axle, the view las been expressed that it is extremely lifficult to comply with the existing reguations calling for a 24-ton gross vehicle 'eight on an artic with a twin-oscillating .xle without exceeding the 11 tons
maximum permitted on that axle. eihe Ministry does not propose increasing this limit.) So far as tandem axles are concerned, the Ministry has proposed no increase in the maximum weight of 18 tons at present permitted but has recommended a reduction to 16 tons when the axles are 3 ft. 4 in. to 4 ft. apart; the 18-ton limit will continue to be permitted only if the axles are 4 ft. to 7 ft. apart. Operator opinion on this is not yet settled.
The controversial proposals to tic gross vehicle weights in with stipulated axle spacings has not met with operator approval. The operators' representatives are expected to ask for 15 tons on a twoaxle rigid vehicle, 22 tons on three axles and 32 tons on four axles, with no stipulations as to axle spacing.
The Ministry has suggested a 28-ton g.v.w. for four-axle allies where the outer axles are not more than 26 ft. apart and 30 tons if more than 35 ft. apart. Operators want 28 tons for all four-axle artics. including those with twin-oscillating axles on the semi-trailer. A 38-ton g.v.w. is to be sought, I understand, for five-axle artics; the Ministry has proposed 24 to 32 tons depending upon the axle spacing.