§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport, further to paragraph 60 of "Lorries, People and the Environment", what further research has been conducted on the damage which may be caused to underground services by heavy lorries; what consultations there have been with the National Water Council; and whether he proposes to defer his decision on heavy lorries until current research is completed.
§ Mr. David HowellThe Government's proposals on lorry weights would in themselves have no significant effects on underground services. However, the Transport and Road Research Laboratory has a continuing programme of research on this subject. Results of its work were published by the laboratory in 1980—report No. LR 954—and in 1981—report No. LR 1028. The National Water Council has also been invited to comment on the Government's proposals on lorry weights.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary 'of State for Transport what representations he has received from the County Surveyors Society about the costs of damage to smaller structures, including old bridges and retaining walls, as a result of introducing heavier lorries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HowellI have received representations from the County Surveyors Society and also the ACC about the damage by lorry traffic in general to the older short-span bridges. Both organisations accept, however, that under the proposed increase in maximum lorry weights, fully loaded lorries would not with some exceptions cause a greater strain on these bridges than existing traffic. Indeed, studies have shown that in most cases they would cause less strain. However, to tackle the problems caused by existing traffic my Department will be setting up a working party with the task of drawing up a new assessment code, which could form the basis of a programme of repair and reconstruction. Both the County150W Surveyors Society and the ACC have welcomed the proposal and are among those who have agreed to join the working party.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will prohibit existing four-axle articulated vehicles from increasing their loading to take advantage of the increase in maximum lorry wright to 34 tonnes.
§ Mr. David HowellI shall consider the right hon. Member's suggestion along with other comments that have been made on the draft regulations on lorry weights and dimensions.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will initiate a programme of research into the effects of ground-borne vibration under roads carrying heavy vehicles.
§ Mr. David HowellA continuing programme of research on this subject is already in progress at the Transport and Road Research Laboratory. The latest reports were published by the laboratory in 1981—reports No. SR 688 and LR 1020.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made with the preparation of new regulations to limit the dynamic axle load of lorries referred to in paragraph 322 of "Lorries, People and the Environment."
§ Mr. David HowellThe vast majority of road damage is caused by the static axle load. However, my Department is exploring urgently with experts from research institutions and the motor industry what could most effectively be done to identify and reduce any extra damage done by dynamic axle loads.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport, in view of evidence that heavier lorries will result in more highly polished and consequently more dangerous road surfaces, if he will introduce a new system of heavy vehicle taxation with the revenue hypothecated to highway maintenance.
§ Mr. David HowellThere is no evidence to suggest that heavy lorries result in more highly polished road surfaces. However, the present basis of heavy lorry taxation is to be restructured at the earliest convenient opportunity. The framework for this change was set out in the Transport Act 1981. It will provide a much improved basis for matching taxation levels with the road costs imposed by different groups of lorry.