Transport organisations warn of potential damage to UK-Irish trade06 November 2013

A 4m height restriction on goods vehicles could seriously damage the flow of trade between the UK and Ireland. That's the warning from a group of trade associations in a letter to the European Parliament's Transport Committee.

The letter was sent this week, after the European Parliament received a proposed amendment from an Austrian MEP to prohibit all cross-border movements of vehicles exceeding 4m in height.

Most EU member states impose the 4m height restriction, but the UK and Ireland apply a derogation, as permitted under EU law, and have never imposed this on domestic operators.

Trade associations including the Freight Transport Association (FTA), FTA Ireland, Road Haulage Association (RHA) and Irish Exporters Association wrote to express their concern about the suggested amendment.

Theo de Pencier, chief executive of the FTA, says: "We are extremely concerned about the adverse effect this would have on trade and the environment.

"One major UK retailer, with operations in the UK and Ireland, has estimated that a four-metre height restriction would result in 3,000 extra trailer movements, adding 740,000 additional road miles and generating an extra one million kilograms of carbon dioxide per year."

The letter appeals to the Transport Committee to accept the European Commission's proposal to permit cross-border movements of vehicles exceeding the maximum dimensions, if they are already permitted in neighbouring member states.

Author
Laura Cork

Related Companies
Freight Transport Association Ltd

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