The Dutch government has increased its weight limit for longer, heavier vehicles (LHVs) to sixty tonnes. Last autumn, it removed the limits on the number of LHVs on Dutch roads, but cut their maximum gross vehicle weight from 60 to 50 tonnes, the country's weight limit for regular heavy trucks. This was due to some unexpected problems with weak bridges, which the Dutch government suspected were caused by the heavier LHVs.
Dutch operator associations TLN and EVO strongly protested, forcing
the Dutch transport minister to initiate an investigation by independent research organisation TNO. Around 100 Dutch LHVs were unable to use public roads during this investigation.
One of the operators that ran four LHVs for an American firm had to put 14 conventional trailers on the road to replace them. Last week, TNO concluded that LHVs did not damage the bridges and the Dutch government immediately allowed the 60 tonne LHVs back on the road. TLN and EVO expect the number of LHVs on Dutch roads to increase again, possibly up to 300 or more.
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