§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely cost of strengthening bridges throughout the United Kingdom if an increase were permitted in maximum gross weights of commercial vehicles up to 40 tonnes, in the light of the Transport and Road Research Laboratory Report No. 582 that the combined loading from all axles of a vehicle must be considered when assessing effects on bridges.
333W
§ Mr. William RodgersIf an increase in the gross weight of commercial vehicles to a maximum of 40 tonnes were to be permitted, this would be accompanied by limits on axle weight and spacing to ensure that the combined effects of static and dynamic loading on bridges would not be more severe than that caused by existing vehicles. In these circumstances no bridge strengthening would be needed and no extra costs would be involved.