UKWA FOR WEB - United Kingdom Warehousing Association

Environment 13
GOVERNMENT
Government says
‘No’ to longer lorries
The Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth
Kelly, has turned down proposals to allow
longer heavier vehicles (LHVs), also known
as eco-combis, on British roads, citing the
findings of the Heriott Watt University/
Transport Research Laboratory report commissioned
by the Department. Copies of the
report have been placed in the libraries of
both Houses of Parliament and it can also
be viewed at www.trl.co.uk.
“The report highlights a number of issues
that make the implementation of LHVs
impractical either on a permanent or trial
basis,” said Ms Kelly. “I will therefore not be
allowing them on UK roads for the foreseeable
future.
“There is a risk of increased CO2 emissions
and other environmental drawbacks due to
modal shift from rail to road if these vehicles
were to be permitted, which would also impact
on the viability of existing rail freight services
and the potential for future growth.
“There are serious implications for the
management of the road network and
...substantial investment would be needed
to provide for junction improvements, the
protection of bridge supports, and the provision
of parking infrastructure for statutory
rest periods, particularly if a new nationwide
network of dedicated facilities is
required.”
The government noted that LHVs would
be unsuitable for many roads and junctions.
However, non-steered semitrailers [on artics
up to 16.5m loa and 40t gvw] are already
unsuitable for many roads and junctions,
but are permitted under existing legislation.
Publication of the HWU/TRL report was
delayed for about nine months, leading to
suspicion that the government was unhappy
with its findings and demanded a redrafting
that was less supportive of LHVs. However,
just a few weeks ago, Ms Kelly said she had
not seen the report, which surprised some
industry observers.
The Freight on Rail (FoR) alliance
expressed its delight at the government’s
In Association with
decision. As campaign director Philippa
Edmunds explained, FoR has never accepted
the fundamental argument that LHVs
would result in fewer lorries, lower emissions
and reduced exposure to accidents.
She added that research commissioned
by FoR shows that previous increases in
lorry dimensions have resulted in more lorries
driving around less full, causing more
road congestion and more pollution - the
reverse of what was claimed would happen
if LHVs were introduced.
The Chartered
Institute of Logistics and
Transport (CILT) criticised
the Minister’s
decision. CILT says that
it acknowledges the
credibility of much of
the report, but believes
an outright veto is the
wrong decision.
Its CEO Steve Agg
said: “Rejecting LHVs
without physical trials is a
wasted opportunity. The
fact that the Secretary of
State has used the emotive
term “super-lorry” suggests a biased
approach. The sensible decision would have
been to specify trials that could have provided
real data and tangible experience in order to
reach an objective conclusion.”
While supporting the movement of
freight by all modes and recognising the
environmental benefits of rail freight, CILT
“Rejecting LHVs
without physical
trials is a wasted
opportunity. The
fact that the
Secretary of State
has used the emotive
term
‘super-lorry’
suggests a biased
approach”
believes that LHVs could have a place in the
transport hierarchy. “We believe it would be
straightforward to identify a simple core
network for trials, based around the motorway
network,” said Agg.
“Even if LHVs were approved it is likely
that their usage would be limited and, in
certain circumstances, they could actually
make sense. To say we are disappointed
with this announcement is an understatement.”
Making
light work
Lighting can
account for 50 -
60 per cent of
the electrical
energy costs of
warehouses and
distribution
centres. Somar
has now
introduced an
intelligent
lighting fixture
which can
deliver savings
in the region of
70 per cent.
Not only is this
a highly efficient
luminaire,
it also takes
account of the
fact that at most
times, lighting
is left on in all
areas of a
warehouse even
when no one is
working there.
Additionally, in
many
warehouses
although natural
light is present
through
roof lights,
lights are often
fully on.
Powerboss
Eluma
intelligently
senses
occupancy in
each area
and/or the
change in
natural light
and adjusts the
light level and
electrical energy
usage
accordingly.
www.somar.co.uk
www.ukwa.org.uk June 2008