News

The Department for Transport (DfT) denies claims it has attempted to influence the findings of the long-awaited study into longer, heavier vehicles (LHVs).  An article in The Times on Monday suggests the government received the Transport Research Laboratory/ Heriot-Watt University study nine months ago and has since attempted to persuade the authors to make their conclusions about LHVs "less positive". The allegations, apparently made by a source close to the study, have been denied by the  DfT.

A DfT spokesman says: "The study was expected to have been completed by now, but given the challenging and complex nature of the project, the researchers are still examining the available evidence carefully and so the report is delayed. "There are currently no plans to publish a response, but its findings will be considered carefully and will better inform any future policy on LHVs." The report was commissioned to examine the feasibility of LHVs of between 25.25m and 30m long, and between 60 tonnes and 84 tonnes in weight, operating on UK roads.

It was due for publication in November 2007 but then put back to February. Last month, transport secretary Ruth Kelly said the findings will now be published "before the end of July", adding she would need "a lot of persuasion" to allow LHVs in the UK. Jack Semple, RHA policy director, says: "Given the way the release of the study has been constantly put back, it is not surprising there has been so much speculation about the  reasons why."

A spokesman for the Transport Research Laboratory says the organisation would not comment on the article, while Heriot-Watt University was unavailable for comment as MT went to press.