Super-lorries with trailers 61ft long to be allowed on Britain's roads

Super-lorries with trailers up to 61ft long will be allowed on Britain’s roads despite warnings from experts they could present a hazard on smart motorways

• Lorries with trailers up to 61ft in length will be allowed from May 31
• Legislation will be laid in Parliament today as part of efforts to boost efficiency 

New super-lorries are to be permitted on Britain’s road network – but industry experts have warned they may be so long they present a hazard on smart motorway lay-bys.

Longer lorries with trailers up to 61ft (18.55m) in length will be allowed from May 31 under legislation laid in Parliament today, as part of efforts to increase efficiency.

But there are concerns the super-sized vehicles, which will allow trailers 6ft 9in (2.05m) longer than the standard size, will create a risk to pedestrians and cyclists.

And they may cause problems for hauliers using them on smart motorways, where emergency refuge areas are only up to 328ft (100m) in length – meaning a ‘long lorry’ would take up around one-fifth of the layby.

Rebecca Guy, road safety manager for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in England, acknowledged extending the size of a traditional trailer could help reduce carbon emissions and ease the pressure on driver shortages.

(Stock Image) Lorries with trailers up to 61ft in length will be allowed from May 31 under legislation to be laid in Parliament today, as part of efforts to increase efficiency

But she said: ‘We also acknowledge the genuine concerns relating to the proposed larger lorries becoming a hazard if temporarily stopped in laybys or emergency refuge areas on smart motorways.

‘As the majority of refuge areas are advised to be 100m in length, we do not see an issue with a singular larger lorry stationed in one for a short period of time in an emergency, providing that the driver has had training on operating larger vehicles, is aware of their surroundings and follows the Highway Code.

‘With the initiative in place, we ask that drivers and employers in the transport field are made aware of the heightened risks that operating a larger vehicle could entail.’

And Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, added: ‘One can imagine problems if these lorries leave the strategic roads and end up off the beaten track.

‘Particular attention will need to be paid to diversion routes when motorways and major A roads are closed for repair, as they often are.’

(Stock Image) There are fears the super-lorries, which are 6ft 9in longer than standard size, will pose a risk to pedestrians and cyclists

Currently, only lorries up to 54ft (16.5m) long carrying 44 tons are allowed on UK roads.

But studies suggest that allowing jumbo lorries could boost the UK economy by £7billion over five years.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said the move would take one standard-sized trailer off the road for every 12 trips.

An 11-year trial of longer lorries has suggested they are safe for use on public roads, the DfT said.

The study found they were involved in ‘around 61 per cent fewer personal injury collisions than conventional lorries’, the department said.

Roads minister Richard Holden said: ‘A strong, resilient supply chain is key to the Government’s efforts to grow the economy.

‘That’s why we’re introducing longer semi-trailers to carry more goods in fewer journeys and ensure our shops, supermarkets and hospitals are always well stocked.

‘These new vehicles will provide an almost £1.4billion boost to the haulage industry, reduce congestion, lower emissions and enhance the safety of UK roads.’

The Government said brands including bakery giant Greggs, supermarket Morrisons, and Royal Mail would be rolling out the longer trailers in due course.

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