§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy not to increase the maximum axle weight of lorries beyond 40 tonnes. [11120]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe existing maximum axle weight for lorries is 10.5 tonnes which, in certain cases, will increase to 11.5 tonnes from 1 January 1999. The existing general gross weight limit for articulated vehicles with five or more axles is 38 tonnes and 44 tonnes for certain six-axle vehicles in combined road/rail movements. From 1 January 1999, we will allow an increase in the weight limit from 38 to 40 tonnes for articulated vehicles with five or more axles on international journeys. With regard to allowing 44 tonne lorries generally, I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 25 July,Official Report, columns 788–89.