§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the outcome of the Council meeting on heavier lorries on 5 June; and what are the implications for the United Kingdom and roads and bridge expenditure.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe agreed that 40-tonne lorries will not reach British roads until 1999. We succeeded in persuading other member states that an earlier end-date would he premature.
This date will give us the time needed for our bridges to be adequately strengthened. The strengthening programme is already underway. There are no new expenditure implications on trunk roads. We shall be talking further to local authorities to consider any implications for their programme.
The Council also agreed on a work programme for improving lorries so that by the late 1990s they should be fitted with road-friendly suspensions which will be less damaging to roads and bridges, safer, quieter and better for the environment.