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P LETTER OF THE WEEK
Page 20
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LHVs back on the agenda... good
AT LAST, THE Department for Transport (DfT) seems to have seen the light and put longer trucks back on its agenda for British roads (CM, 23 October). On an island this size, the argument for longer combinations is clear but disorganised.
It would mean less road traffic, and with many operations based on central motorway networks, it could be easily managed. I would impose some operational restrictions, though. Keep them at 50mph in order to keep fuel economy up, keep them to the inside lanes and keep them on motorway and duel carriageways only.
Make sure drivers have a specialised additional licence to drive them, and make sure they run at specific times. i.e during the evenings, when the bulk of trunking is done.
The DfT needs to look to Holland for its impact and give British trailer manufacturers a chance to get involved in building the type of solutions needed by the British haulier. I am all for improving the British road network, and longer trucks is one way of doing it.
The lobby for longer trucks needs a cohesive argument that has not been apparent. Hauliers and associations have been arguing for it from different hill tops, now they need to join and use this green light to apply unified pressure.
Unfortunately, the rail lobby has the ear of the DtT, and if a trial ever gets off the ground, it would be a miracle.
Name and address withheld