DfT clamps down on concrete trucks05 January 2018

Volumetric concrete mixers face capacity limitations, the loss of their operator licence exception and the need for annual tests later this year, as they are brought into the mainstream of commercial vehicle enforcement following a regulatory review of exempted vehicles.

In December, the government proposed plans to limit payloads of the 700 or so mobile concrete batching plants operating in the UK to 38.4 tonnes gvw, 20% greater than the standard four-axle vehicle weight limit of 32 tonnes (three-axle rigids would be limited to 31 tonnes, and two-axle rigids 21.6 tonnes). That means that these vehicles, which carry not only the materials for concrete but also the mixing equipment, will no longer be allowed to run up to or beyond design gross weights of 42 tonnes, partly out of concerns for their wear and tear on road surfaces and bridges. This proposal would be run on a case-by-case basis as vehicle special orders as a temporary arrangement for the next 7-10 years.

For a more permanent rule, the government has said it is willing to consider volumetric concrete mixers running at 42 tonnes on a new design of five-axle truck, 44t gvw including the fifth axle, and limited to 6 tonnes/metre of wheelbase. The regulatory means to do so would be a permanent amendment of the STGO legislation (Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types)(General) Order 2003) to create a new special type of vehicle. This would require speed restrictions of 60 mph on motorways, 50 mph on dual carriageways and 40 mph on single carriageways.

In addition, mobile concrete batching plants are to be included in statutory goods vehicle testing from May 2018. That means an annual test, and other licencing terms common to other heavy goods vehicles, including the need for tachographs and compliance with drivers’ hours and mobile working time rules by this summer.

The proposals remain under consultation until 1 February 2018. Interested parties should email freight@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Author
Will Dalrymple

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