Cycling UK has expressed ‘serious concerns’ over the safety implications of allowing longer lorries to travel on roads across England, Scotland and Wales.
The trailers, known as longer semi-trailers (LST), measure up to 2.05 metres greater than a standard trailer.
On 10 May, the Government announced plans for a permanent roll-out, to support economic growth, boost productivity, cut road emissions and support supply chains.
This follows an 11-year trial, which the Government says has ensured they are safe.
The trial showed that LSTs were involved in around 61% fewer personal injury collisions than conventional lorries.
However, Cycling UK fears ‘flaws’ in the pilot means the widespread introduction ‘could put lives at risk’.
The charity points to the fact that only a small number of firms tested the lorries, with about 3,000 currently on the road.
Cycling UK also says the longer lorries have larger blind spots and almost double the ‘tail-swing’ of conventional HGVs, which could pose significant danger to vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians – especially when driven in dense, busy, urban environments and narrow country lanes.
Keir Gallagher, Cycling UK campaigns manager, said: “At a time when funding for infrastructure to keep people cycling and walking safer has been cut, it’s alarming that longer and more hazardous lorries could now be allowed to share the road with people doing these activities.
“Before opening the floodgates to longer lorries rolling into our busy town centres and narrow rural lanes, further testing in real life scenarios should be done to assess and address the risks.
“Counting casualties years down the line is the wrong way to conduct road safety policy – yet just like with smart motorways, that’s the risk we face unless the Government urgently reconsiders these plans.”
Under the legislation, vehicles which use LSTs will be subject to the same 44 tonne weight limit as those using standard trailers.
The DfT says these new vehicles will move the same volume of goods, but will use 8% fewer journeys than current trailers. They are also expected to cause less wear on the roads than conventional lorries due to the type of steering axle used.
Operators will be legally required to ensure appropriate route plans and risk assessments are made to take the unique specifications of LSTs into account.
In addition to these new legal requirements, operators will also be expected to put in place extra safety checks including driver training and scheduling, record keeping, training for transport managers and key staff, and loading of LSTs.
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