New legal guidelines to permit longer HGV lorries on UK roads will come into pressure on 31 Might 2023, elevating the utmost automobile size for articulated truck and trailer combos to 18.55m – 2.05m longer than the earlier authorized restrict.

There’s no improve in most weight, however the brand new longer trailers will be capable of carry larger volumes of products, which ought to end in a big discount within the variety of journeys required. The Division for Transport estimates the results of implementing the change shall be 8 per cent fewer supply journeys – or a discount of 1 out of each 12 standard-size trailer journeys. An related profit is a discount in air pollution, with the DfT estimating the brand new longer semi-trailers (LSTs) will forestall 70,000 tonnes of C02 from getting into the ambiance.

Roads minister Richard Holden is upbeat concerning the change which he sees as a win for British enterprise. “These new longer lorries will make an enormous distinction for British companies like Greggs, who will see 15% extra baked items delivered, from tasty pastries to the nation’s much-loved sausage rolls” he mentioned. “Let the great occasions roll as we cut back congestion, decrease emissions and improve the protection of British roads.”

The information hasn’t been welcomed so warmly in different quarters, nonetheless, with Biking UK declaring the transfer “alarming”. It says there ought to have been extra testing of the longer automobiles in actual life situations on the town centres and slim nation lanes, to evaluate the potential dangers to cyclists and pedestrians.

Different considerations have been raised concerning the potential for harm to infrastructure and road furnishings on roads designed round a smaller most size of trailer, however the authorities insists that an 11-year trial has proved the brand new longer lorries are secure.

Do you suppose that longer lorries on Britain’s roads are a good suggestion? Tell us within the feedback beneath…