HC Deb 12 February 2002 vol 380 cc223-4W
Ms Drown

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to allow longer buses to be used on UK roads. [32910]

Mr. Jamieson

The European Directive on the dimensions of certain categories of vehicles was amended on 17 January 2002 to allow increases in the length of buses and coaches. The changes include provisions to ensure that longer buses are compatible with UK road layouts. My Department will shortly be consulting on regulations to implement it into UK law.

At present it is planned to hold a trial of a number of coaches 12.8m in length (current UK maximum is 12m) that will be travelling between Bath, Swindon, London Heathrow airport and London. The purpose of this trial is to assess options for wheelchair accessibility.