Proposals to introduce ‘super lorries’ on to British roads have been rejected by the Government due to fears about compromised safety, increased emissions and traffic management problems.
The concept would have seen the traditional length of an HGV doubled to approximately 34metres, with some vehicles weighing as much as 82 tonnes which is double the maximum weight under current regulations.
However, following an independent report, the Department for Transport (DfT) turned down the plans due to a number of issues. Its Transport Research Laboratory found that there would be serious implications for the road network as many of the vehicles would be unsuitable for existing roads. There were also many safety implications and fears that there would be an increase in CO2 emissions with more goods shifting away from rail and on to the roads.
Despite rejecting the proposals, the DfT is still considering a ‘moderate increase’ in the existing length of articulated vehicles.
Transport minister Ruth Kelly, said: “Not only are there clear environmental drawbacks, but such vehicles would be unsuitable for many roads and junctions, while providing the infrastructure to accommodate them would require substantial investment.
“There are also uncertainties about how efficiently such vehicles could be used, particularly when sourcing loads of sufficient size to make return journeys sustainable; and about their impacts on the viability of existing rail freight services and the potential for future growth.”
