F&I Management & Training

Transport Minister Claire Perry who made the Department for Transport (DfT) announcement this morning stated: "this is the last chance for freight operators to take part in a scheme that is helping hauliers boost trade and industry."

According to the DfT, 400 freight operator allocations are still available to allow them to use longer vehicles to transport goods on UK roads, providing a boost to trade and industry.   

The trial is cutting traffic and carbon emissions as it is expected to save over 3,000 tonnes of CO2 over 10 years with the overall benefits are estimated at £33 million over 10 years.

James Hookham, the Freight Transport Association's (FTA) Managing Director for Policy and Communications, said:

"FTA supports the trial of longer semi-trailers as there are significant environmental and efficiency benefits on offer from deploying these vehicles. This is not a vehicle for all sectors and will be most beneficial on journeys where the goods carried are high volume, low weight as vehicle fill can be improved."

The trial is cutting traffic and carbon emissions as it is expected to save over 3,000 tonnes of the government's 10 year longer semi-trailer trial was in 2012 and enabled freight operators to bid for a share of 1,800 vehicle allocations. 

Mr Hookham added:

"The results of the trial so far have been encouraging and we are keen that those operators who can put these trailers into use on work for which they are suitable should be able to do so. This process for reallocating unused permits should help operators to do that, thus securing an essential contribution to industry's carbon reduction programme."

The longer semi-trailer permits allow operators to run articulated lorries up to 2 metres longer than existing, standard articulated vehicles.  This length gives an equivalent deck space to the current standards drawbar (rigid truck and trailer) combinations.

DATED: 29.08.2014

FEED: HA