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P VEHICLE LENGTH
Page 16
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Denby to defy IMT decision to test LHV on UK roads
CM COVER STORY By Chris Tindatt DENBY TRANSPORT says it will risk legal action and run one of its Eco-Link Longer and Heavier Vehicles (LHVs) on UK roads without a government permit.
The decision by the Lincolnshire haulage firm comes after it took legal advice on whether it would be breaking the law to run its own trial of LHVs after former transport secretary Ruth Kelly rejected calls to allow them on the roads.
However, the Department for Transport (DfT) has stated it still considers the use of any LHV on UK roads as illegal.
Director Dick Denby insists the Eco-Link trailer produces fewer CO2 emissions, takes up less road space and will boost UK productivity Following a 2008 report into the use of the vehicles, the DIE claimed there would be safety risks and environmental drawbacks due to the modal shift from rail to road.
Denby says the XI' has written to him admitting that. ultimately, only the courts can decide the legality of running LHVs.
He tells CM: "We got the law clarified and we believe that our vehicle is quite legal on British roads without a permit, provided we respect weight limits and British turning circles."
Denby is confident it can show it has not broken any road transport laws if a prosecution is brought.
"Since our legal advice is particularly solid, we are not in a panic about it," says Denby. "We are not nervous about it: we got all our legal ducks in a row first. And if we are in front of the bench, we could say we did all we could to negotiate this with the Da and they have acknowledged that only the courts can decide. So, we have done everything we can to protect our good repute."
Denby Transport has written to the Eastern Traffic Area Office outlining its views and could start using its Eco-Link LHV before Christmas.
RHA policy director Jack Semple says: "Denby is to be applauded for trying to keep the issue alive in the UK, given that Ruth Kelly's decision was unsatisfactory and her 310-page report was not allowed to be debated."