The Department for Transport (DfT) has given permission for longer lorries to use Britain’s roads after claiming they are more efficient, safer, and produce less carbon emissions.
Critics have described it as a “deeply retrograde step,” while the Road Haulage Association said it does not go far enough and urged the government to increase the maximum weight of lorries.
New legislation was put before Parliament on Wednesday that will allow for lorry trailers up to 18.55 metres (61 feet) long—more than two metres longer than standard trailers—to use Britain’s roads from May 31.
In fact the trucks, known as longer semi-trailers (LSTs), have been on Britain’s roads since 2012 as part of a long-running pilot scheme….