§ Mrs. Peacockasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied that the structure and rubber compound used to build truck tyres are meeting laid-down 337W performance specifications; and what steps his Department takes to monitor compliance with these specifications.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThere are at present no legal requirements regarding the structure or rubber compounds used in the design and construction of truck tyres. In practice, most of them comply with the requirements of ECE regulation 54—currently being considered for inclusion in construction and use regulations. All retreaded tyres have to comply with British Standard BS AU 144b: 1977. The tyres fitted to trucks are checked for load capability and condition as part of their annual test.
§ Mrs. Peacockasked the Secretary of State for Transport what tests have been undertaken by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory into whether tyres currently used by lorries on motorways are suitable for the long periods of high speed use to which they are subjected.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Transport and Road Research Laboratory has not conducted tests on the suitability of lorry tyres for long periods of motorway use. We have no reason to doubt the reliability of modern tyres provided that they are properly maintained, inflated to the correct pressure and not overloaded.