Translogistics

A small and unnoticed change in European rules could let massive new mega-trucks which are up to 25 metres, or 80 feet, long into the UK. The European Commission, which is pushing for this change, itself admits they are dangerous, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists. The trucks also damage roads and create unfair competition for more environmentally-friendly freight-on-rail. Some countries already allow mega-trucks on their roads but this proposal would mean they could travel between countries that agree to them. This would effectively allow mega-trucks in by the back door as they would become standard across much of Europe.

Even the European Commission research of January 2009 admitted that mega trucks are more dangerous than existing HGVs. The main reasons for increased collision risks are handling and manoeuvrability problems including snaking, larger blind spots, extra weight and size. Currently HGVs are disproportionately involved in serious accidents with other road users. In 2010, they made up about 3% of the EU vehicle feet but gave rise to 14% of fatal collisions.

The UK government has already buckled under pressure from the road haulage industry and allowed trials of 7 feet longer HGVs. We need to throw out the European Commission s proposal now before more pressure from the road haulage industry pushes the government into accepting mega-trucks in to the UK.

Please email your European Members of Parliament (MEPs) and ask them to oppose mega trucks being allowed to travel internationally to avoid these monster vehicles coming to the UK via the back door. You can contact your NW MEPs via the Write to Them¹ website or directly with the email addresses below.

The Freight on Rail network has produced a useful briefing (April 2013)² and a suggested email text³ which is also listed below.

NW European Members of Parliament email addresses (Alphabetical order)

Robert Atkins (Conservative) ratikins@europarl.eu.intJacqueline Foster (Conservative) jacqueline.foster@europarl.europa.euArlene McCarthy (Labour) arlene.mccarthy@easynet.co.ukChris Davies (Liberal Democrat) chris@chrisdaviesmep.org.ukSajjad Karim (Conservative) info@sajjad.karim.org.ukPaul Nuttall (UKIP) paul.nuttall@europarl.europa.euBrian Simpson (Labour) briansimpson.labour@virgin.net

Video shows how dangerous mega trucks are.

Suggested email text:

Dear MEP

I am writing to express my huge concern about the revision of legislation governing the weights and dimensions of HGVs as I believe it will lead to bigger heavier lorries coming to the UK over time. The European Commission wants to allow cross border traffic of 25 metre (82 ft) lorries between consenting member states. What will happen is that more and more countries will be pressurised by their road haulage industry to allow these massive lorries on competition grounds.

While the UK Government says it will not allow mega trucks to come to the UK it will be lobbied by the road haulage industry which has an insatiable appetite for bigger heavier lorries. In fact the UK Government buckled to pressure from the road haulage industry in 2012 by allowing 7 ft longer lorries on our roads which are already congested and not designed for vehicles of these proportions.

Even the European Commission s own research showed that mega trucks are more dangerous than existing HGVs 1.Because of the double articulation needed for manoeuvrability in urban areas there is a serious loss of stability at cruising speeds which increases risk of snaking, for example changing lanes 2.

Previous increases in lorry dimensions have resulted in more lorries driving around less full, causing more road congestion and more pollution, which is the reverse of what was claimed would happen. The proponents of mega trucks are using the same flawed arguments again. More than one in four lorries is driving around empty and almost half of lorries in the UK are driving around partially empty so why if hauliers cannot fill existing sized lorries how would they fill even bigger ones? Hauliers tend to buy the largest vehicle permitted and use it for large and small loads irrespective of the impact on road congestion and the environment 3.

The promoters are claiming that these vehicles will be restricted to motorways, dual carriageways and major roads. However, trying to restrict mega trucks to dual-carriageways and motorways will not work; the reality is that these vehicles will need local road access to distribution hubs on local roads

Allowing mega trucks will lead to more road fatalities, more congestion and more pollution and will be disastrous for the rail freight industry which has the potential to take thousands more long distance lorry journeys off the road reducing congestion, road accidents and carbon emissions.

Yours etc.1. TML Effects of adapting the rules on weights and dimensions of HGVs P14 penultimate line 6 November 2008 DGTREN website.

2. Source Table 26/27 Assessment results of the handling characteristics Knight & Wohrmann 2008

3. Analysis of previous increases in HGV sizes and efficiency of existing sized lorries- MTRU⁴

References

1. ^{^} Write to Them (www.writetothem.com)
2. ^{^} briefing (April 2013) (www.freightonrail.org.uk)
3. ^{^} suggested email text (www.freightonrail.org.uk)
4. ^{^} Analysis of previous increases in HGV sizes and efficiency of existing sized lorries- MTRU (www.freightonrail.org.uk)