Dear Member,

Housekeeping notes first. For those of you who didn’t see last week’s Bulletin, please note the new buttons above which will link you to your professional sector’s news. ‘Job’s a good ‘un’ to quote the rather annoying current vernacular.

Those battle-hardened few who grimly plough through this blog every week seem to call it David’s rant. Not today though as I don’t actually have an interesting opinion about a big topic facing logistics operators. So I shall just sit on the fence and run through every argument surrounding LHVs (Longer, Heavier Vehicles) without any hint of froth coming out my mouth.

This seems to really be a case where size does matter! (that witty comment courtesy of our Director of Operations Richard Ebbage by the way).

LHVs, Longer Heavier Vehicles, have been around for some time in Australia etc. But their use on UK roads seems to be illegal.

Proponents, chief of which must be Dick Denby – who got blocked by police while attempting to get his ‘Eco-Link’ 83ft megatruck rolling on public roads yesterday – argue they reduce individual lorry journeys, thus cutting emissions. They believe when used on major trunk road such vehicles don’t pose an overtaking hazard and do their bit to cut emissions.

Dick, who feels strongly enough to lead the charge by driving his so called superlorry, thought he had found a loophole to allow LHV’s on public roads based on legislation surrounding vehicle towing. Evidently Lincolnshire Police didn’t agree!

Opponents say such vehicles are dangerous, take too long to overtake, cannot negotiate roundabouts well and such large loads really ought to go by rail. To opponents the risks outweigh any advantage and the environmental benefits are unproven......…...........more