CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Campaign against mega-trucks on EU roads

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  1. SRD
    Moderator

    Fed up with trucks that are too big for our streets? Well they could be about to get bigger!

    A small and unnoticed change in European rules could let these massive new mega-trucks – which are up to 25 metres, or 80 feet, long – into the UK. The European Commission, which is pushing for this change, itself admits they are dangerous, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists. The trucks also damage roads and create unfair competition for more environmentally-friendly freight-on-rail.

    Some countries already allow mega-trucks on their roads but this proposal would mean they could travel between countries that agree to them. This would effectively allow mega-trucks in by the back door as they would become standard across much of Europe.

    The UK government has already buckled under pressure from the road haulage industry and allowed trials of 7 feet longer HGVs. We need to throw out the European Commission's proposal now before more pressure from industry pushes the government into accepting mega-trucks in to the UK.

    also:

    http://www.freightonrail.org.uk/NoMegaTrucks.htm

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. Baldcyclist
    Member

    There was a case recently, some firm in England has bought one of these things and tried to argue he should be allowed to use it because EU regulations permit.

    He lost his case.

    Personally, I don't actually see an issue in using them, so long as they are used for the purpose they are designed, ie ferrying stuff up and down motorways to out of town distribution centres. Laws should be introduced to ensure they are not allowed in populated areas.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. Baldcyclist
    Member

    There was a case recently, some firm in England has bought one of these things and tried to argue he should be allowed to use it because EU regulations permit.

    He lost his case.

    Personally, I don't actually see an issue in using them, so long as they are used for the purpose they are designed, ie ferrying stuff up and down motorways to out of town distribution centres. Laws should be introduced to ensure they are not allowed in populated areas.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. SRD
    Moderator

    Just had quite a positive / supportive reply from SNP MEP on this. I'm never sure on politics of reproducing answers, but here's the key details:

    "As an SNP MEP I am aligned to the Greens/EFA political grouping in the European Parliament, who strongly oppose plans to permit cross-border operation of longer and heavier trucks. The Commission believes that introducing the cross border operation of mega-trucks would be more efficient, however, the Greens/ EFA group believe that gains in efficiency and safety can be made without substantially changing the dimensions of vehicles.

    Furthermore, I agree with your concerns regarding the potential for Member States to decide on whether to allow cross-border transit of mega trucks by bilateral agreements, as this could create pressure on Member States to open their borders to these mega trucks which are not only worse for the environment and climate change but are also more dangerous.

    Posted 11 years ago #

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