§ Mr. Marksasked the Minister of Transport what is his estimate of the relative damage to roads and roadside structures caused by a 44-tonne lorry and a saloon car.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe damage to road pavements would depend on actual axle loadings. The damage caused by a 44-tonne lorry as recommended in the Armitage report is estimated to be about 12,800 times that of a saloon car. This is less than the comparable figure for the current legally authorised 32.5-tonne lorry, which is about 17,000.
There is no evidence on the comparative damage to roadside structures. Present research suggests that these are unlikely to be adversely affected provided the road surface is maintained in an even state.