LHVs..the Dutch have got the right idea and have settled for 60-tonnes says Biglorryblog. So why can't we?

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Biglorryblog has been contacted by two of his regular 'Cloggie Chums' Niels Jansen and Iep van der Meer who bring BLB the latest news on the Longer Heavier Vehicle (LHV) front from Holland--and it's good news too. Niels tells me "Hi Brian, maybe this is of interest to readers of BLB. Where your Government recently announced that 'supertrucks' of 25.25m will not be allowed on British roads, the Dutch Minister of Transport has lifted the maximum GCW for LHV's again to 60 tonnes as of immediately!"

 

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Niels goes on: "There had been a ban on top weight LHV's from November 2007 after some bridges in Holland had shown weak spots. After much lobbying from transport organisations, the government asked the TNO Research Institute in Delft to examine the damage to bridges and the effect by heavy trucks. It appeared that maximum length LHV's running at 60 tonnes did not have any influence on the failure of the structures. What's more, they proved to be  less damaging than a standard 50-tonne truck and trailer of 18.75m. The weight of an LHV is spread over a longer distance and more axles. Due to the lower weight stipulations, almost half of the LHV operators had parked up their rigs since the fall of 2007. Now that the 60-tonnes limit is back, their use will rapidly see an increase again. And that's good news, because the savings that longer and heavier trucks can achieve is considerable. Regards Niels."

 

Meanwhile click through here for more on the subject from Iep.

 

 

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And here's Iep's two-pennorth! He also confirms that: "Here's some important news from the Dutch. As you know we are running 25.25m combinations under strict rules. Special driver's licences, extra safety features, special routes and so on. At first the trucks were going to be allowed to be run at 60-tonnes but last year they were restricted to 50-tonnes. That meant half of the combinations were useless and that started a big lobby of the transport organisations to the gouvernment. With success, because they have released the news that it's going to be 60-tonnes again! That means 30% more goods with 30% less polution and congestion! Regards, Iep."

 

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So if the Dutch can come to a sensible conclusion on LHV trials why can't we? Indeed, it only goes to show that when you DO look closely LHVs have something positive to offer. Pity Ruth Kelly has already closed her mind to them for this country. But then she's clearly more worried about her back-benchers than testing them to see if they can cut pollution and congestion in the UK. Heaven forbid, trials might actually prove that LHVs can do what we think they can do...and then where would Ms Ruth and the anti-lorry lobby be then?

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This page contains a single entry by BigLorryBlog published on May 18, 2008 9:07 PM.

Fair Maid and Wandering Willie...a couple a decent Guys on Biglorryblog courtesy of John H in Scotland! was the previous entry in this blog.

Kenworth trucks down-under. Call that a paint job? Nah mate..THIS is a paint job! is the next entry in this blog.

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