DfT launches 10-year trial into longer trailers

Date: 12/10/2011

A ten-year trial has been launched by the government that will see lorries able to tow trailers that are around 2 m longer than standard.

The Department for Transport has revealed that more than 1,000 of the carriers will be included in the scheme, with up to 900 measuring 2.05 m longer than the existing benchmark and a further 900 that will be 1 m longer.

However, the current weight limit will remain the same for the vehicles, at 44 tonnes.

It is believed that by providing hauliers with as much as 13 per cent more loading space, the sector will receive a financial boost of £33 million through being able to transport more goods in one journey.

Should the changes be made standard, the total legal length of an articulated lorry would stand at 18.55 m.

Roads Minister Mike Penning said: "Independent research showed the potential environmental, safety and congestion benefits of longer trailers and this voluntary trial will give industry the opportunity to demonstrate how this works in practice."

"Rigorous annual assessments" would be carried out throughout the decade-long scheme, he added.

The Freight Transport Association welcomed the news, with Head of Engineering Policy at the group Andy Mair saying deploying such vehicles would result in both efficiency and environmental benefits.

Posted by Mary Treen