The government has rejected the idea of running longer, heavier vehicles (LHVs) in the UK, claiming there are no enviornmental benefits and they could have a significant impact on road safety.
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly based the decision on a report by the Transport Research Laboratory, which found that super-lorries could lead to an increase in CO2 emissions due to goods shifting from rail to road, create serious implications for the management of the road network - the vehicles would
be unsuitable for many roads and junctions - as well as introducing new safety risks.
Kelly says: "This study shows that 'super-lorries' are not compatible with British roads. Not only are there clear environmental drawbacks, but such vehicles would be unsuitable for many roads and junctions, while providing the infrastructure to accommodate them would require substantial investment."
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