News

Trials of Longer Heavier Vehicles (LHVs) in the UK look set to be scuppered due to objections from the Highways Agency (HA). A senior industry source tells Motor Transport the agency has raised "a large number of objections" to the idea of trials and that it is "extremely unlikely" they will get the go-ahead. A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesman refused to comment on whether the HA has asked the government to delay an announcement on the trials, but admitted the issues relating to LHVs were  both "challenging and complex".

Heriot Watt University and the Transport Research Laboratory have delivered a study to the DfT on whether trials of LHVs - between 25.25 and 30 metres in length and between 60 and 84 tonnes in weight - should take place on UK roads. The DfT says it has not set a timescale for the publication of the findings. Meanwhile, Denmark is set to introduce trials of 25.25 metre, 60-tonne vehicles next year on motorways and major roads.

Jorn-Henrik Carstens, technical analyst for International Transport Danmark, says his association, which represents professional road hauliers in Denmark, wants trials to start in January. However, he believes these may be delayed due to uncertainty over which roads, cities, harbours and logistics sites in Denmark should be included.

He adds: "We fear the legislation defining the roads on which the LHVs are allowed to drive will not be ready before autumn 2008." Danish elections are another complicating  factor. On 1 November, the Dutch government launched its "experience phase" of LHV trials which will see them allowed on motorways, connecting routes, industrial estates, ports and trans-shipment areas until 2011.