IRTE queries (and U
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• The new Construction and Use Regulations, which come into effect on August 11, do not go far enough to harmonise UK laws with the rest of Europe, according to the Institute of Road Transport Engineers.
The IRTE also says the latest C and U changes (CM, July 26) are "out of step with modern operating conditions."
While welcoming the increased refrigerated body width of 2.58m, the IRTE is strongly critical of other dimensional and weight limits, including the 12.2m semitrailer length limit for domestic operation only, the continuing 32.5 tonne weight limit for drawbars, and "illogical" axle spacing limits for tri-axle bogies on semi-trailers and for three-axle tractive units.
On tri-axle bogie spread the IRTE says that the new minimum for carrying 22.5 tonnes — 2.6m instead of 2.7m — should apply to all trailers and not only those on international journeys.
Like the 1.2m length limit which has been dropped for semi-trailers "normally used on international work", this change was incorporated in the new regulations to conform with an EEC Directive.
The new regulations mean that many operators will have to segregate trailers used internationally from those used only in this country, and this is likely to be particularly difficult for trailer rental companies.
The IRTE is disappointed that the Department of Transport has failed to respond positively to its call for a 3.6m outer axle spread limit for 38tonne GCW tractive units to replace the current 3.8m minimum. This makes it difficult — in some cases impossible — to couple British 12.2m semitrailers with "short" king-pin overhangs, typically lm, to three-axle tractive units and stay within 15.5m overall length.
The IRTE has also made detailed comments on the sections of the new regulations dealing with brakes, mir
rors, noise, power-to-weight ratios, speedometers, sideguards and spray suppression.
According to the IRTE, if there is one legislative trend causing more concern than any other, it is the growth of variation in rules applying to different types of vehicles operating on the same roads. One example it gives is the 17-tonne GVW maximum weight limit for PSV and certain tractive units, while twoaxle rigids are limited to 16.26 tonnes.