Haulage group argues for larger vehicle trials
Date: 10 July 2007
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) believes that larger freight forwarding vehicles should be trailed in the UK with a view to tackling road congestion.
Roger King, chief executive of the industry group, visited Amsterdam recently to attend an International Road Transport Union meeting regarding the longer, heavier, 25m/25m lorry concept.
Although manoeuvrability and weight problems for bridge infrastructure caused some concerns, the consensus was that neither of these drawbacks would necessarily put a stop to the technology.
Mr King said: "I went out on the main highway (driven of course) to judge for myself how these larger vehicles interact with other road users.
"I have to say I was very impressed at how trouble-free the whole exercise was. Of course, there are route limitations in the Dutch trial; speed is limited by law to 50mph and no overtaking is permitted other than agricultural vehicles, but my driver assured me that none of this was a problem.
And the technology has other benefits, according to Mr King.
He continued: "The clincher, he said, was the environmental benefit of two LHV trucks doing the work of three normal ones."
The RHA argues that the UK should conduct similar trials to those taking place in the Netherlands to help alleviate traffic congestion problems.
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