DfT longer semi-trailer trial opened to new participants
The Department for Transport has announced that more truck operators will be given the opportunity to join the 10-year trial of longer semi-trailers.
The scheme initially allowed operators to bid for a share of 1,800 vehicle allocations, but as of last month’s announcement, 1,250 of them remained unused. Now the spare allocations will be made available to additional operators not currently participating in the trial.
The new allocation system will allow operators wishing to participate a maximum of six months to supply the Department for Transport with proof of order from a manufacturer, to demonstrate a commitment to purchase.
“In some cases, particularly where operators are carrying their own goods or using the semitrailers for existing contracts, the period may be much less,” the Department added.
“We will also continue to accept a VSO instead of a proof of order. If an operator is not able to do this within six months, then they will lose their allocation, which will go back into the total allocations available.”
Operators already taking part in the trial will also be allowed to change the length of trailers they had originally been allocated, between the 14.6m and 15.65m lengths.
The DfT said: “This will form part of their existing allocation which is due to expire on 31 December 2013 and will only apply to trailers obtained before then. All operators are also free to apply for trailers of either length under the new system.”
Said then-roads minister Stephen Hammond: “Freight operators play a crucial role in ensuring the wheels of our economy remain well-oiled by supporting UK trade and industry and transporting the goods we need.
“Longer semi-trailers enable freight companies to transport more goods, more efficiently, and should give significant economic and environmental benefits. We want to maximise their use during the trial to ensure we properly assess the benefits.”
The decision follows a fourweek consultation on the proposed changes, the responses to which were published by the government last month. 89 per cent of respondents to the consultation welcomed the proposals to alter the allocations process.
Jack Semple, director of policy at the Road Haulage Association, commented: “Strong demand for permits has been evident from members across the industry, not least from enquiries to the online permit exchange service that the RHA has operated since the initial allocation. We welcome this new permit availability, both for existing operators and for those who wish to use longer trailers for the first time.”
The Freight Transport Association also expressed support for the policy. Its head of engineering Andy Mair said: “FTA is a supporter of the use of longer semi-trailers, as there are significant environmental and efficiency benefits on offer from deploying these vehicles.
“But FTA has always stated that it is not a vehicle for all sectors and will only be viable on journeys where the goods carried are high-volume, lowweight as vehicle fill can be improved. The revised reallocation process will allow those operators who can put these trailers into use on work for which they are suitable, to obtain permits in a more timely manner than waiting for unused allocations to be made available.”
He added: “Comments from members suggest that in many cases there are practical issues which need addressing before longer semi-trailers can fulfil their potential. Some of these issues are quite challenging, for example customers may need to make changes to operating practices (or even premises) to accommodate the vehicles, and unless there are many such vehicles the business case of making such changes simply won’t stack up.
“Also, operators are reporting that some contracts could work well with longer semi-trailers if sufficient numbers were deployed, but due to the small numbers allocated to them, operationally it does not work. Allowing additional permits therefore will help overcome these issues.”
