“This report confirms the value of LSTs [longer semi-trailers],” states RHA (Road Haulage Association) director of policy Jack Semple.
“It also confirms the RHA’s prediction that there would be no great rush for the new lengths and that take-up would be gradual, with 15.65 metre trailers much the more popular length.”
The trailers are up to 2.05 metres longer than the standard 13.6 metre units.
Semple points out that there are now 151 operators in the trial, but says that existing LST operators and other hauliers could make good use of more.
“The government should release more permits to allow them to do so. It should allocate permits, as before, in a way that gives equal opportunity to smaller firms.”
The DfT report concluded that LSTs work well for the economy, congestion, air quality and pollution. It also proved that the longer vehicles are safe, and in some cases potentially safer than their conventional length counterparts.
That said, RHA wants to see continued road safety reporting for at least another 18 months, the goal being better statistical evidence.
However, RHA also wants DfT to discontinue the efficiency reporting element of the trial, stating that this is an area “where we are now learning nothing new”.
Meanwhile the FTA also supports further monitoring of the LST fleet to ensure that they can be used safely.
“We need to maximise the use of rail and water freight as part of making the UK’s supply chain as efficient, clean and safe as possible,” states Karen Dee, FTA’s director of policy.
“But they can never replace road. That is why we need to maximise the efficiency of road freight as well as the other modes.”