§ Mr. Ian StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when 44-tonne lorries will be allowed to operate generally in Great Britain. [148632]
§ Mr. HillThe necessary Regulations (Statutory Instrument SI 2000 No. 3224—The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) (Amendment) Regulations 2000)—will come into force on 1 February. The regulations will allow certain types of lorry to operate at up to 44-tonnes maximum weight in Great Britain. The lorries in question must have six axles, a maximum axle weight of 10.5 tonnes and Euro 2 low emission engines. These vehicles will result in a considerable saving in lorry miles where heavy goods are being carried and will be no bigger, and cause less road wear, than existing 40-tonne, 5 axle lorries.