Application results announced for longer semi-trailer truck trial
A total of 180 applications have been approved by the Department for Transport for next year's trial of longer semi-trailers on trucks and lorries.
The breakdown consists of hauliers, own-account truck operators and trailer manufacturers. The applicants will pilot the use of 1,811 longer semi-trailer trucks on UK roads in 2012. According to the Department for Transport the longer semi trailers will be broken down as: 900 of a maximum length increase of 1m (between 13.6 and 14.6 metres), and 900 of a maximum length increase of 2.05m (between 14.6 and 15.65 metres).
While larger truck operators have been granted the most longer semi-trailers in pure number terms as expected, the Department for Transport has been true to its word and spread the allocation widely between operators large and small, with no single operator having more than 8% of the total.
Jack Semple, director of policy at the Road Haulage Association, says: "There was a fear large companies could dominate.
"While we would have liked to see more weighting towards SMEs, we are very pleased that the department has essentially opted for a half-way house."
News courtesy of CommercialMotor.com
