'Mega trucks' could enter Britain under EU plans

“Mega trucks” measuring up to 82ft in length could be allowed into Britain under EU proposals backed by Tory MEPs, campaigners have warned.

Draft legislation being considered by the European Parliament would permit lorries longer than two double decker buses, and weighing up to 60 tonnes in length, to cross international borders for the first time.

The proposals have prompted concerns among transport groups who claim the vehicles could pose a threat to pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers, particularly if they were allowed on urban or minor roads.

Current HGVs are blamed for worsening congestion in urban areas and are significantly more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than other vehicles.

International haulage firms claim the lorries, which consist of a juggernaut and a connected trailer, can reduce congestion and emissions by reducing the number of journeys they need to make.

Current British legislation states that lorries cannot exceed 61ft and 44t. Larger models have existed in Sweden and Finland for many years, but have been prohibited from crossing international borders under EU law.

The new proposals would relax current restrictions on the length, height and weight of lorries which are permitted to travel between consenting countries.

No alternative size limits have been specified in the legislation, meaning the so-called “mega trucks” used in Scandinavia could cross the borders of any countries which agree to accept them.

Under the draft laws, Britain would have the right to deny access to the vehicles, but it would come under significant pressure from hauliers if the vehicles became accepted elsewhere in Europe.

Philippa Edmunds, of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Conservative MEPs plan to support the increased use of massive 82ft trucks across the EU. This is despite the Westminster Government opposing their use on UK roads because they cause more fatal accidents, more congestion and more pollution.

“If Conservative MEPs support the change to European laws next month, we risk letting mega trucks onto our roads via the back door.”

Conservative MEP Jacqueline Foster denied the Conservatives would support 82ft lorries in Britain.

She has proposed an amendment supporting the law, in which she also proposed removing international restrictions on the height of lorries, which is currently unlimited in Britain.

She said removing height restrictions would help hauliers from Britain and Ireland when travelling to the continent, and said Britain could refuse access to longer lorries if it decided they were “not appropriate for our roads”.

“My priority is what is in Britain’s best interests she said,” she said. “We are having bilateral discussions to make sure our hauliers are able to compete on a level playing field.”

The Coalition government has already extended the maximum vehicle length permitted in Britain from 54ft to 61ft as part of a ten-year trial after lobbying by the haulage industry.

Richard Burden, the shadow roads minister, said it would be unwise to relax restrictions even further when it is unclear what the outcome of the ongoing trial will be.

A draft version of the legislation will be presented to the European Parliament’s transport committee on Tuesday and a vote on the proposals will take place next month.

Brian Simpson, a Labour MEP who is opposing the removal of restrictions, said: “My concerns are the road safety issue, and that I do not believe the British infrastructure can take longer and heavier lorries.

“We just believe it will be the thin end of the wedge and they will want to go up to 70 tonnes and the detrimental effect that would have on rail freight in particular.”