Brussels to allow massive road-trains across Europe

Freight on Rail is calling on Brussels to set maximum limits on the length and weight of HGVs in its new legislation to avoid more fatalities, more road congestion and more pollution.

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11th April 2013 

The new legislation must set maximum HGV dimensions at 18.75 metres length and 44 tonnes for international transport, to prevent general circulation of massive road trains.

The new legislation should not allow cross border traffic of mega trucks as this policy would lead to mega trucks across Europe by default over time. 

In countries which allow mega trucks, national limits should be set prohibiting mega trucks of 25 metres from using non dual carriageway/motorways in order to protect cyclists, pedestrians and general traffic.

Freight on Rail Manager, Philippa Edmunds said,”Unless Europe sets maximum weights and length limits for HGVs in international traffic in its current revision of the legislation, there will be more needless fatal collisions, more road congestion and more pollution. 

She added that, ”Without these limits, ever bigger heavier lorries will come to the UK over time if they are allowed to travel across international borders within Europe, as proposed. European bureaucrats are proposing permitting cross border mega trucks traffic without evaluating the impacts, contrary to the Commission’s own rules. Instead, Europe should be promoting freight by rail, in line with its own policy”.

  

Source - www.bifa.org