London Daily

Focus on the big picture.

New laws to allow longer lorries on UK roads 'could cost lives' of pedestrians and cyclists

New laws to allow longer lorries on UK roads 'could cost lives' of pedestrians and cyclists

Figures indicate HGVs are disproportionately involved in deaths on British roads - and campaigners say long lorries have not been adequately tested in town centres and rural areas.
The government is to allow longer lorries on UK roads to reduce the number of journeys - despite fears the move will cost lives.

The Department for Transport (DfT) announced lorry trailers up to 61ft (18.55m) long - some 6ft 9in (2.05m) longer than the standard size - will be permitted from 31 May under legislation going before Parliament on Wednesday.

But it is feared the changes will create greater dangers for pedestrians and cyclists, and the potential for damage to roadside infrastructure.

Vehicles covered by the new laws have a larger tail swing - meaning their rear end covers a greater area when turning - and extended blind spots.

Campaign groups say the decision is "alarming" and claim most of the testing during the 11-year trial of longer lorries took place on motorways and A-roads.

They say pedestrians and cyclists on roads in town centres and rural areas are now most likely to be put at increased risk.

Keir Gallagher, campaigns manager at Cycling UK, told Sky News: "At a time when funding for infrastructure to keep people cycling and walking safer has been cut, it's alarming that longer and more hazardous lorries could now be allowed to share the road with people cycling and walking.

"Before opening the floodgates to longer lorries rolling into our busy town centres and narrow rural lanes, further testing in real-life scenarios should have been done to assess and address the risks."

The campaigner added: "Counting casualties years down the line is the wrong way to conduct road safety policy - yet just like with smart motorways, that's the risk we face."

Lobby group Campaign for Better Transport called on the government to rethink its plan - and focus on ensuring more freight is moved by rail - "an efficient, safe and clean alternative, with just one freight train capable of removing up to 129 lorries from our roads".

Cycling UK said calculations based on official figures found HGVs accounted for 3.4% of traffic - but were involved in 15.5% of cyclist and 11% of pedestrian deaths.

The DfT said the new lorries would be able to move the same volume of goods as current trailers in 8% fewer journeys, meaning they will "make the world of difference" for businesses such as bakery chain Greggs.

It claimed the policy could generate £1.4bn in economic benefits and take one standard-size trailer off the road for every 12 trips.

The department insisted its 11-year trial showed the longer lorries were safe for use on public roads - and found they were involved in "around 61% fewer personal injury collisions than conventional lorries".

A government-commissioned report published in July 2021 revealed that 58 people were injured in incidents involving longer lorries between 2012 and 2020.

Roads minister Richard Holden said: "A strong, resilient supply chain is key to the government's efforts to grow the economy."

Longer lorries will be subject to the same 44-tonne weight limit as those using standard trailers.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
South Korea's Brief Declaration of Martial Law
Unidentified Drones Spotted Over UK Airbases
Israel Offers $5 Million for Each Gaza Hostage Freed
"We Need A British Trump"- Former Prime Minister Elizabeth Truss
Make Orwell fiction again
CIA Official Arrested for Leaking Intelligence on Israel-Iran Conflict
Special counsel Jack Smith asks the court to dismiss his appeal regarding Trump in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case.
BORIS: UK May Deploy Troops If Trump Cuts Support to Ukraine
Trump Administration Taking Shape: No Invitations Issued to Nikki Haley or Mike Pompeo
Iranian Man Charged in Plot to Assassinate Donald Trump
£3 Billion of British Taxpayer Money Spent by UK Government on Hotel Costs for Migrants
Unlike the shock and profound sadness at 10 Downing Street, British citizens assembled for an impressive rally backing the elected President of the United States, Donald Trump.
Elon Musk Predicts Justin Trudeau's Electoral Defeat
Here's why: Scott Presley convinced swing voters in Pennsylvania with a clear and direct question.
Royal Estates Earning Millions from Public Services and Charities
Siemens Acquires Altair Engineering in $10.6 Billion Deal
The man who got hit by a bus and immediately went back to the pub is strong! Beer is very important.
Donald Trump files $10 billion lawsuit against CBS News, accusing them of 'deceptively doctoring' Kamala Harris' '60 Minutes' interview
Formal Address for Meghan Markle at Invictus Games
Understanding the US Electoral College System
Apple Launches AI Features on Select iPhones
JP Morgan Sued Customers Over Viral Cheque Fraud Scheme
King Charles to Continue Global Tours Despite Cancer Diagnosis
Venice Extends Tourist Entry Fee Program to 2025
Tommy Robinson Charged Under Terrorism Act for Phone Offence
Plans to Increase Employers' National Insurance Announced
Washington Post Editor-at-Large Robert Kagan has RESIGNED after owner Jeff Bezos BARRED the endorsement of Kamala Harris.
Massive Theft of Artisan Cheddar from Neal’s Yard Dairy
US Man Charged with Murder of Co-Worker over Breaks
Carbon Monoxide Incident Claims Lives at UK Care Home
Birmingham Airport Evacuated Due to Suspicious Vehicle
Former US President Barack Obama raps the lyrics to Eminem's ‘Lose Yourself’ after the rapper introduces him at a Kamala Harris rally in Detroit
KYIV URGES NORTH KOREAN TROOPS IN UKRAINE TO SURRENDER
Ofcom Identifies Link Between Social Media Posts and UK Unrest
Russian Boxer Receives Lifetime Ban for Illegal Move in Boxing Debut
Biden Labels Trump a Threat to Democracy
McDonald's Linked to E. coli Outbreak Leading to One Death
Teacher Enoch Burke arrested at Wilson’s Hospital School in Ireland after refusing to endorse and affirm transgender ideology.
FBI Investigates Leak of US Intelligence on Israeli Strike Plans
Israeli Airstrike Targets Hezbollah's Financial Resources
China’s Baidu is revolutionizing transportation with its robotaxi service
Angela Rayner Secures Permanent Seat on UK National Security Council
Russian Ambassador Claims UK's Proxy War in Ukraine
Doctor Advocates for Assisted Dying Law Reform
Ruth Davis Appointed as UK’s First Nature Envoy
Pressure Mounts on Starmer to Discuss Reparations at Commonwealth Summit
James Cleverly’s Costly In-Flight Catering for Government Trips
AI Regulation Takes Center Stage in 2024 US Presidential Campaign
NASA Study Explores Potential Microbial Life Beneath Mars' Ice
Cats: The Liquid-Like Pets
×