DfT plans changes to longer semi-trailer trial

The Department for Transport has opened a consultation on plans to change the allocations process currently in operation for the trial of longer semi-trailers, launched in January 2012.

The department said: “Given the current rate of take-up of both lengths of longer semi-trailer (14.6 metre and 15.65 metre), it is highly unlikely that the total target allocation of 1,800 longer semi-trailers made available to hauliers in the trial will be reached by the cut-off date of 31 December 2013.

“In order to address this and other issues and help meet demand from operators who do not have enough, or any allocation, of longer semi-trailers, the department believes that it would be better to change the allocation process now rather than wait until the current allocations expire in December.

“This consultation therefore seeks views on a proposal to help make the allocation process fairer, and to increase the uptake of the remaining allocation.”

DfT proposes to: “open up the allocation process to all operators on a first come, first served basis, for either length of longer semi-trailer, until the total quota of 1,800 is reached.”

It said: “Rather than allocating the full quota in advance, as was done previously, allocations would be made to operators individually, for each semi-trailer or batch of semi-trailers at the point when an operator was ready to order them.

“There would be no time limit for reaching the quota of 1,800. The pace would be determined by market demand and allocations could continue beyond 31 December 2013 (or cease before then), depending on when the total of 1,800 was reached.”

The Department has also proposed a reserved right for operators already participating in the trial to use their existing allocation, “which would be guaranteed to be met until 31 December, even if the full quota of 1,800 semi-trailers has been authorised.”

The full proposals can be read here.