HL Deb 01 July 1964 vol 259 cc701-4WA
LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are now able to say what progress has been made in the review of the Construction and Use Regulations regarding commercial vehicles designed to allow them to be built to dimensions and weights more in accord with Continental standards.

LORD CHESHAM

Revised proposals were circulated on March 26, 1964. My right honourable friend has had comments from interested organisations and he proposes to make some changes which will be embodied in the regulations now being prepared. These regulations, which he will lay before Parliament as soon as possible, will increase the permitted weights and dimensions of motor vehicles to the extent shown in the annexed table.

My right honourable friend has had particular regard to road safety.

Only vehicles constructed on or after February 1, 1963, will be permitted to carry weights higher than the current maxima. Vehicles permitted to carry the higher weights will he required to comply with the braking efficiency requirements already prescribed for private cars and goods vehicles up to 30 cwt. (unladen weight). They will also have plates attached by their manufacturers showing the maximum weights which they are satisfied the vehicles can carry safely.

The new maximum width of 2.5 metres (8ft. 2½ins.) is identical with that applicable in Europe. But considerations of traffic density and road safety have led us to fix shorter vehicle lengths. All dimensions are being expressed in metres so as to minimise difficulties that could arise from small discrepancies due to the use of different units of measurement.

Because there are still many weak bridges in this country maximum gross weight limits for vehicles will be lower than those proposed on the Continent. The axles, too, will be further apart.

At present the length or width of vehicles can, by the use of removable extensions, be increased beyond the statutory maxima. This practice will be prevented.

Another safety measure is a limit to the overall length of a vehicle and trailer. This will be 18.0 metres (59 ft. 0¾ ins.), the limit most commonly applied on the Continent. Since this may entail an alteration to some existing vehicles used for the transport of cars, my right honourable friend proposes to bring it into effect on January 1, 1966.

SUMMARY OF THE EXISTING PERMITTED DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS OF VEHICLES AND OF THE CHANGES WHICH THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT INTENDS TO MAKE IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND USE REGULATIONS
— Existing Changes Notes
WIDTHS
1. Locomotives … 9' 0" 2.75m. (9' 0¼") (a) For heavy motor cars over 4 tons unladen.
2. Heavy motor cars. 8' 0" (a) (b) 2.5m. (8'2½") (c) (b) 8' 2½" for public service vehicles.
3. Other (including trailers). 7' 6" (b) (c)Trailers and semi-trailers may not exceed 7' 6" in width unless drawn by a locomotive, a motor tractor or a heavy motor car, or in the case of an articulated vehicle by a tractor portion which is a motor car exceeding 2 tons unladen weight; and may not project laterally on either side of the drawing vehicle by more than 12".
LENGTHS
4. Rigid vehicles … 30' (d) 11.0 m. (36' 1") (d) 36' for public service vehicles.
5. Articulated vehicles. 35' (e) 13.0 m.(42' 7¾")(e) (e) No set limit if constructed and normally used to carry indivisible loads of exceptional length.
6. Trailers … 22' 7.0m. (22' 11½")(e)
7. Vehicle and trailer. — 18.0m. (59'0¾")(e)
WEIGHTS
A. Axle weights
8. One-wheeled axles. 4½ tons 4½ tons (f) (f) 5 tons for one-wheeled axles and 10 tons for single two-wheeled axles, if wheels are fitted with twin tyres at not less than 12" centres or with wide tyres satisfying definition to be notified in the regulations.
9. Single two-wheeled axles. 9 tons 9 tons (f)
B. Vehicle Gross Weights
These will now be authorised on the basis of the number of axles instead of the number of wheels as heretofore. Spacing between the axles now determines the gross weight allowed which permits higher gross weights without endangering weak bridges, e.g.

— Existing Changes
10. Rigid vehicles—
(i) … … 4 wheels—14 tons 2 axles at least 12' apart—16 tons.
(ii) … … 8 wheels—24 tons 4 axles, if outer axles at least 26' apart—28 tons.
11. Articulated vehicles trailer with 4 wheels—24 tons Vehicle with 4 axles—
(a) if outer axles at least 23' apart—26 tons.
(b) if outer axles at least 32' apart—30 tons.

House adjourned at five minutes before nine o'clock.