§ Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list the estimated costs of strengthening structures to carry an increase in lorry weight from 40 to 44 tonnes (a) for each region of the Highways Agency for its structures; and (b) for each Government Office area for structures bearing local authority roads.
§ Viscount GoschenThe 44-tonne, six-axle lorries which are discussed in the Government's current consultation document on lorry weights would cause less detrimental effect to roads and bridges than the 40-tonne five-axle lorries that will be allowed anyway from 1st January 1999. Therefore no additional strengthening will be required, and no costs will be incurred for this purpose.