New and ‘onerous’ regulations on the use of longer semi-trailers (LSTs) are driving up running costs and creating inefficiencies, with some operators being forced to lay up their LSTs, RHA warned this week.
The new regulations were introduced in May this year, following the DfT’s decision to allow the trailers, which are to 2.05 metres longer than the current standard semi-trailers, to be widely used.
The move followed an 11 year trial, involving almost 3,000 LSTs and over 300 operators, including major brands such as Greggs, Morrisons, Stobart, Royal Mail and Argos.
The trial found that using LSTs had saved 70,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the period of the trial, by taking the equivalent of one standard-size trailer off the road for every 12 trips.
However, RHA warned this week that the benefits of LSTs will be lost, due to new legislation requiring hauliers to make a route plan for every journey, in writing, specifying the road or roads on which the LST is to be used both to and from its destination.
