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A rail freight lobby group has been accused of launching a misleading media campaign in a bid to persuade the government not to trial longer heavier vehicles (LHVs). Dick Denby, a leading proponent of LHVs, says Freight on Rail's claims show that the rail freight industry appears to be panicking over the prospect of competing with LHVs.

The row centres on an NOP opinion poll commissioned by Freight on Rail, which suggests that 75% of the public are against trials of LHVs. However, there  has been criticism of the question's wording, which describes LHVs as "60-tonne lorries which are more than one-third longer and heavier than the present legal limit". There is no mention of context or the fact that they could cut vehicle movements and emissions.

Philippa Edmunds, Freight on Rail spokeswoman, claims there is "widespread public disapproval" of government plans to trial LHVs. Edmunds stresses Freight on Rail is "not anti road", but adds: "Rail freight could be halved over the next few years if the government allows these monstrosities onto our roads."

Denby says: "We shouldn't be surprised that people who have a vested interest in moving freight by rail are nervous about allowing more efficient lorries on the road." He says comparisons in the release between LHVs and 18m long 'bendy-buses', quoted as causing twice as many injuries as ordinary buses, are "hogwash. Why compare these long buses in London with lorries that won't even go into urban areas?" he  asks.