London, UK: The trial of longer trailers has been deemed a success and government proposes to allow them to operate permanently from next year.
The nine-year trial and public consultation found longer freight is safer, more economical and better for the environment.
The government will also launch a trial of heavier, 48 tonne freight to help shift more cargo from road-only journeys onto rail.
The annoucement comes as the Department for Transport published its response to its consultation on the introduction of longer trailers, up to 15.65 metres, which saw the majority of respondents in favour of their use.
It is estimated that longer trailers could remove up to one in eight freight journeys by carrying the same amount of cargo in fewer lorries. This would support the government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan by reducing mileage, congestion and carbon emissions.
The Department for Transport will now consider the use of longer trailers in Britain sometime in 2022.
Some 57% of those surveyed in the government consultation felt longer trailers should be in general circulation and could see the positive effects the move would have on the road haulage industry and Britain’s efforts to lead the fight against climate change.
The nine-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 longer gtrailers reduced the number of road traffic collisions, resulting from fewer journeys being made, the Department for Transport said.
The government is also to launch a separate trial using 48-tonne trucks, following a positive response from the consultation on their introduction. Heavier trucks will be able to transport heavier containers directly to and from rail depots so that goods can be transported across the country by train.
The trial would ensure these heavier lorries are only used on specific routes and would limit their use to a maximum journey length.
