DPD targets 50 in longer semi-trailer trial

Geopost UK is the latest major player to express interest in taking part in the ten-year trial of longer semi-trailers.

The company, parent to B2C parcel courier DPD and B2B carrier Interlink Express, is says it is currently assessing the suitability of its buildings and those of customers to handle the longer length trailers but will likely look at applying for 50 as part of the pilot.

“These 50 will be at the full permitted length [an extra 2.05m],  no messing about,” confirms Charlie Shiels, executive director of central operations at Geopost UK.

However, Shiels says that with the firm already running one of the largest fleets of double-deck trailers in the UK at around 400 for trunking, it may consider looking at trialling longer double-deck trailers to make the move worthwhile in terms of extra capacity.

Wincanton, Eddie Stobart and DHL Supply Chain have all intimated that they will be applying for longer semi-trailers in the magnitude of several hundred each in the coming weeks, with other logistics players showing similar levels of interest.

Meanwhile Dick Denby, director of Denby Transport and a long-term supporter of longer, heavier trucks, describes the announcement from the Department for Transport as a “step in the right direction”, although as an operator working predominately in France does not plan to take part in the trial.

“It’s good news that it’s been recognised at last that 20th century lorries [in terms of design and capacity] are far from ideal in the 21st Century,” says Denby.