‘Stop scaremongering on truck sizes’ - FTA29 January 2014

The FTA (Freight Transport Association) has joined with cycling and pedestrian organisations and the Mayor of London to sign a declaration calling on the European Parliament to support Commission proposals to review the rules on truck dimensions.

The FTA is also calling for a stop to "irresponsible scaremongering" about the review resulting in larger vehicles on UK roads.

Discussions are taking place in the EP on the revision of the EU Weights and Dimensions Directive 96/53.

Proposed revisions would allow new cab designs with improved sight lines and direct visibility, reducing blind spots.

They would also allow for new aerodynamic devices to improve fuel consumption – reducing carbon and local air quality emissions, as well as cutting costs for operators.

Contrary to some reports, says the FTA, this package will not result in the UK having to allow larger vehicles on its roads. Member states will be allowed to take the final decision and the UK government has said this will not happen.

"This is irresponsible scaremongering and a simple check of current government policies would reveal that there are no such intentions," says James Hookham, FTA's managing director for membership and policy.

He adds: "This has distracted time and attention from the real issues at stake and the opportunity to design-out many of the blind-spots on large vehicles that arise from the need to meet EU dimension requirements, and design-in better aerodynamics without loss of capacity."

The first vote is scheduled in the European Parliament on 11 February. Final agreement is not expected before the end of 2014.

Author
Laura Cork

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