Government launches 2 consultations following successful trial of longer semi-trailers, which have been shown to cut emissions and boost haulier productivity.
- government launches consultation on introducing longer goods vehicles permanently to Britain’s roads
- trial shows longer semi-trailers (LSTs) reduce haulage miles, emissions and accidents
- consultation on next steps forms part of wider plans by government to decarbonise transport while supporting a green recovery
Longer goods vehicles that increase productivity and reduce haulier emission levels could become a permanent fixture on Britain’s roads as the government today (Monday 9 November 2020) launches a consultation into their future.
Longer than conventional heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) but not heavier, LSTs can carry 3 more rows of supermarket goods cages on each journey compared with existing trailers.
A trial of LSTs that has been underway for the past 7 years has shown that they’ve saved lorry drivers travelling millions of miles – cutting emissions and boosting productivity. In the past year alone, the 2,600 vehicles involved in the trial have saved lorry drivers 33.5 million miles and 48,000 tonnes of CO2 – equivalent to taking over 20,000 cars off the road. The results also show the trailers were involved in fewer personal injury collisions compared with standard size HGVs.
Off the back of these positive results, the government has proposed to end the trials early and, through today’s consultation, seek views on whether LSTs should be allowed to permanently operate on roads across the UK.
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