111. Mr. G. Wilsonasked the Minister of Transport what progress has now been made in the review of the construction and use regulations regarding commercial vehicles designed to allow them to be built to dimensions and weight more in accord with continental standards.
§ Mr. MarplesRevised proposals were circulated on 26th March, 1964. I have had comments from interested organisations and I propose to make some changes which will be embodied in the regulations now being prepared. These regulations, which I 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.
I have had particular regard to road safety.
Only vehicles constructed on or after 1st February, 1963, will be permitted to carry weights higher than the current maxima. Vehicles permitted to carry the higher weights will be required to comply with the braking efficiency requirements already prescribed for private cars and goods vehicles up to 30 cwt. (unladen). 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 (8 ft. 2½ ins.) is identical with that applicable in Europe. But considerations of traffic density and road safety have led me 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 209W 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.),
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" 2.75 m. (9' 0¼") (a) For heavy motor cars over 4 tons unladen. 2. Heavy motor cars. 8' 0' (a) (b) 2.5 m.(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) 11.0m. (36'1") (d) 36' for public service vehicles. 5. Articulated vehicles. 35' (e) 13.0m.(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.