The Freight Transport Association has restated its support for UK trials of longer and heavier lorries. FTA says that the growing importance of getting the very best out of our crowded infrastructure and building low carbon stamina into our economy reinforces the need for experimentation with improved ways of moving goods around. The prospect of longer and perhaps heavier lorries has real potential which is already being tested in Europe and needs similar work here in the UK.
FTA's Road Freight Council met on 7 November and agreed to continue to press for UK trials, recognising that the operational benefits may well be biased towards the longer vehicles' ability to carry more volume rather than weight. However, the ability to carry two ISO containers on one lorry rather than just one was potentially hugely significant and would make a real contribution to the efficient handling of our economy's growing dependence on deep sea imports.
Denby Transport, a leading haulage company much involved in campaigning for the new vehicles, is holding a demonstration organised by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers in Newark on 28 November. FTA President John Russell said, 'My very best wishes go to Denby Transport for a successful demonstration. The Denby Eco-Link is an exciting prospect for the UK transport industry and the real possibility of carrying more goods on fewer vehicles, to the benefit of the environment and the economy. The project is supported by the Freight Transport Association and I believe that comprehensive research and trials on the potential operating benefits of the vehicle should be put in place, and as soon as possible.'
Details of the Denby demonstration are available on: http://www.soe.org.uk/events/event.php?id=386
For further information call:
Geoff Dossetter
External Affairs Director
dtel: 01892 552255
mob: 07818 450500