§ 40. Mr. Stuart Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make it his policy not to allow any further increase in the permitted number of axles or tonnage on heavy lorries.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI have no present proposals to raise the weight limit of 38 tonnes which came into effect on 1 May. I expect to discuss the position with other members of the European Community Transport Council later this year.
It would not be sensible to impose an upper limit on the number of axles on heavy lorries as these serve a useful purpose in spreading the load and reducing the impact on roads and bridges.
§ 45. Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek to oblige local authorities with traffic management powers to introduce further schemes under the Heavy Commercial Vehicles (Controls and Regulations) Act 1973.
§ Mrs ChalkerWe have encouraged local authorities to use these powers and will continue to do so. But I do not think it practicable or desirable to seek to lay further obligations on them at present.
§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether there are any plans to raise the maximum permitted weight of lorries above 38 tonnes.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI have no present proposals to raise the weight limit of 38 tonnes which came into effect on I May.