The government should make the use of longer semi-trailers (LSTs) a permanent fixture on the UK’s roads following the successful outcome of its trial, according to FTA, the only business group representing all of the logistics sector.

The Department for Transport (DfT) funded study demonstrates that use of these vehicles continues to have a significant impact on the reduction of carbon emissions and road congestion across the UK; they have also been found to be safe for both the driver and other road users.

Phil Lloyd, Head of Engineering & Vehicle Standards Policy at FTA, comments: “Failure to make LSTs permanent is holding back an opportunity to significantly reduce carbon emissions. After all, the benefits LSTs provide to both the environment and the economy have been made evident in the government’s study. The UK’s roads are congested and carbon emissions from road transport remain too high; with LSTs able to carry more goods per journey than traditional HGVs, they present an efficient and environmentally-prudent method of freight transportation.  The quantity of freight that needs to be moved is relatively fixed – if we can move the same amount with fewer journeys, the better for the environment, the economy and other road users”

DfT has been running a trial of the operation of LSTs on roads for the past seven years. Over this period, use of LSTs resulted in 365,000 fewer journeys taking place. This reduction in mileage has led to the saving of 37,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2e) and 187 tonnes of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx). Additionally, LSTs had 55% fewer collisions compared to the HGV average.

Mr Lloyd continues: “At a time when the road transport sector needs to reduce its environmental impact while businesses are also seeking to improve efficiencies, LSTs present a perfect, well evidenced, solution. We hope government seizes this opportunity and makes their use permanent as soon as possible.”

Efficient logistics is vital to keep the UK trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. FTA is one of the biggest business groups in the UK, supporting, shaping and standing up for safe and efficient logistics. We are the only business group in the UK that represents all of logistics, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.

Freight Transport Association

About the Author: John Loughran