Andrew Tinkler, chief executive of Stobart Group, says last week's meeting with Department for Transport (DfT) officials to discuss his design for a longer trailer was "really positive"; the firm will now commission a prototype for testing.
Tinkler met with Stephen
Fidler, head of freight logistics at the DfT, to present his idea for a trailer that is 950mm longer than standard, with a steering rear axle to maintain the current turning circle. He says that Stobart has now asked trailer firm SDC to build a prototype for off-road testing. Data will be fed back to the DfT and potentially put before transport secretary Ruth Kelly for a final decision.
Tinkler adds: "There were no promises made, but there's definitely an interest. I'm very positive about it and want to keep the momentum up."
The DfT referred us to June's report into LHVs, which concluded: "There could be worthwhile benefits from permitting a modest increase in the length of current articulated vehicles."
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