After years of campaigning by cycling advocacy organisations and the recent high profile Times Cities Fit for Cycling campaign, many city councils in the UK are considering how to introduce measures to make the road network safer for cycling and some transport companies have been fitting equipment to make it easier for the driver to see bicycles.
Although there is always room for improvement - such developments are all to the good. However, those nice people at Transport & Environment have recently reported a decision by the EU Transport Comissioner to 'reinterpret' the limits on lorry length and weight.
According to the article, EU
rules governing the length and weight of lorries have been thrown into
confusion by a unilateral ‘reinterpretation’ of an EU directive by the
transport commissioner Siim Kallas.
This "re-interpretation" appears to
abandon all length limits and could open the way for ‘megatrucks’ to be driving on Euorpean roads.
Current EU rules (see Directive 96/53) places limits on lorries operating within the European Union of 40 tonnes and
18.75 metres. In some countries the use of ‘megatrucks’ (up to 60
tonnes, and 25 metres in length) has already been allowed, but under the
directive, these are illegal if they cross national borders.
Transport & Environment lorries officer William Todts said: "The commissioner’s move has thrown transport policy into confusion.
It has by-passed the democratic process and led to a battle with the
Parliament, it has breached trust with stakeholders, and it creates
lasting uncertainty for operators. It’s incomprehensible."
It is not yet known what position the UK's MEP's and Department for Transport will take on this 'decision'. Will update as more news becomes available.
What is clear is that longer and heavier megatrucks will do nothing to encourage active travel (walking and cycling) on the UK's roads.
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