§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Transport what studies he has made, and what conclusions he has reached, concerning the mathematical formula that determines the multiples of axle weight impacting on road surfaces when vehicles brake or traverse irregularities in the road surface.
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§ Mr David HowellThe best single approximation for the assessment of road damage is the 'fourth power' relationship between axle weight and road damage. Applying this relationship to the fleet of heavy vehicles expected to result from the Government's proposals for increasing maximum lorry weights, it is estimated that road damage will be reduced by about 5 per cent.
§ Mr. Snapeasked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ameliorate the problems of heavy lorries on trunk roads in urban areas that cannot be bypassed.
§ Mr. David HowellThe reduction in the number of heavy lorries expected to result from the more effective use of vehicles that higher weight limits will make possible, will bring permananent benefits to such areas. The Government are also inviting the co-operation of local authorities and others concerned in studying further the concept of "lorry action areas" proposed in the Armitage report.
§ Mr. Snapeasked the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of paragraph 4 of the White Paper "Lorries, People and the Environment", what he estimates will be the percentage change in shop prices as a result of the introduction of heavier lorries.
§ Mr. David HowellIncreases in maximum lorry weights now proposed by the Government are expected to reduce transport costs by around £150 million per year. Many firms have confirmed to me that by using more heavily loaded vehicles, though without any change in existing dimensions, they could achieve significant332W savings in transport costs. These savings will eventually benefit the consumer, though it is not possible to quantify this precisely.