Government rejects LHV proposals

Proposals to introduce Longer Heavier Vehicles (LHVs) onto UK roads have been rejected by Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly. The Department for Transport (DfT) says the independent report it commissioned from the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has highlighted several issues making their use in the UK "impractical, either on a permanent or trial basis".

The government believes LHVs could lead to an increase in CO2 emissions due to goods shifting from rail to road. It also adds the vehicles would be unsuitable for many roads and junctions, as well as introducing new safety risks. The study looked at a number of scenarios - modest increases through to 34 metre, 82 tonne vehicles.

Kelly says: "This study shows that super-lorries are not compatible with British roads. "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."

The government does admit that the there could be worthwhile benefits from permitting "a modest increase in the length of current articulated vehicles". The DfT says it will consider the matter further in the context of its ongoing strategic work on freight. A statement from the department says: The report will now help inform member states and the European Commission who are reviewing the rules on lorry sizes as part of the Logistics Action Plan to improve the efficiency of transport and logistics in the European Union".

The full report can viewed in full here.