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Greener, longer goods vehicles could be rolled out from next year

IT is odd to think we would be looking at using even longer lorries, due to them being seen as putting other "drivers and other road users at risk" due to the fact many of the UK's country roads already struggle with them. In fact it was only in 2008 that the then transport secretary Ruth Kelly announced that longer and heavier lorries (LHVs) will not be permitted to use Britain's roads, at least "for the foreseeable future," due to this risk. yet, 13 years later, following a 9 year trial and public consultation, they could now be on the roads from next year!

The 9 year trial, that had vehicles up to 15.65m in length found them to be safer, more economical and better for the environment. According to the research, it's estimated LST's could remove up to 1 in 8 freight journeys by carrying the same amount of cargo in fewer lorries. This would support the UK Government's Transport Decarbonisation Plan by reducing mileage, congestion and carbon emissions. Following the successful trial and consultation, the Department for Transport will now consider the use of LSTs on Britain's roads outside trial conditions, and the environment boosting vehicles could be rolled out sometime in 2022.

The official announcement by Department for Transport was made on 24 September 2021, following the publication of the Department's consultation on the introduction of longer semi trailers (LSTs), for which the majority of respondents were in favour of their use. This announcement is seen by the about steps to reduce the impact of the haulage sector on the environment comes as the UK prepares to host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:- "This Government is committed to fighting climate change and decarbonising our transport network, and we are working at pace to achieve net zero by 2050. This announcement is a vital step forwards as we work to introduce more environmentally friendly freight to our roads and build back greener."

Some 57% of those surveyed in the Government consultation felt LSTs should be in general circulation and could see the positive effects the move would have on both the road haulage industry and Britain's efforts to lead the fight against climate change.

The 9 year trial saw a reduction in the number of lorries making journeys across the country, with an average 8% reduction in miles covered by freight, as well as a 6.2% reduction in pollutants expelled. It also found the use of LSTs reduced the number of road traffic collisions, resulting from fewer journeys being made.

Road safety continues to be of paramount concern, and while the trial showed the use of LSTs caused fewer collisions, additional mitigations are under review to ensure hauliers and road users are kept even safer still. The Government will also soon launch a separate trial using heavier than normal, 48 tonne lorries, following a positive response from the consultation on their introduction. These lorries will be able to transport heavier containers directly to and from rail depots, so that goods can be transported across the country by train. Currently, the maximum weight of a lorry (44 tonnes) makes it difficult to carry heavier goods to rail depots, meaning goods are dispersed between more lorries to be taken to their end destination by road. Taking more goods in heavier trucks to rail depots to be transported by train will help reduce congestion across the country and also slash emissions.

The trial would ensure these heavier lorries are only used on specific routes and would limit their use to a maximum journey length, to help shift more cargo from road only journeys onto rail.

Yet, some groups are very worried by this move will increase accidents on our narrow and winding, as already HGV's on some single carriageways, within Town Centres and Villages are increasingly problematic, with many finding it hard to navigate through them safely. The biggest group saying they are at risk are cyclists. Issues like Direct Vision have also been looked at in recent years, like a consultation that took place in London, back in 2019, but . Interestingly, according to RoSPA, Cyclists are less likely to be involved in a collision with an HGV than a car, but when they are, they are more likely to be killed or seriously injured. So, what are your thoughts on these changes? Please email us to:-  News24@SouthportReporter.Com.