Last chance to join semi-trailer trial
Fleet operators have four weeks from today (28 August) to apply for the remaining allocation of longer semi-trailers as part of the government’s 10-year longer trailer trial, transport minister Claire Perry has announced.
The trial, which was launched in 2012, enabled operators to bid for a share of 1,800 vehicle allocations. Around 1,400 longer semi-trailers are on the road or under construction as a result, but 400 allocations are still available – and can be applied for by both new hauliers and operators already taking part.
The Department for Transport says the trial has been effective in cutting traffic and carbon emissions, with the second annual report on the trial published in June showing that between 600,000 and 900,000 vehicle kilometres have been saved as a result of the scheme.
Dft expects the 10-year trial to save over 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and deliver around £33 million in overall benefits.
Said Perry: “This is the last chance for freight operators to take part in a scheme that is helping hauliers boost trade and industry.
“Longer trailers allow companies to transport more goods, more efficiently and can have significant economic and environmental benefits. I’d like to see all of these allocations used so we can see fewer unnecessary journeys on our roads.”
Jack Semple, director of policy at the Road Haulage Association (RHA), added: “This is a very welcome announcement, especially the Department’s approach in offering the same opportunity to every haulier, regardless the size of his fleet. Every firm has had the chance to assess whether it should invest in the longer trailers and the RHA’s LST helpline is available to members with any outstanding queries.”
Meanwhile James Hookham, the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) managing director for policy and communications, said: “The FTA supports the trial of longer semi-trailers as there are significant environmental and efficiency benefits on offer from deploying these vehicles. This is not a vehicle for all sectors and will be most beneficial on journeys where the goods carried are high volume, low weight as vehicle fill can be improved.
“The results of the trial so far have been encouraging and we are keen that those operators who can put these trailers into use on work for which they are suitable should be able to do so. This process for reallocating unused permits should help operators to do that, thus securing an essential contribution to industry’s carbon reduction programme.”
