The UK Freight Transport Association’s fight against EU proposals to limit the height of future semi-trailers to just 4 metres has won a powerful ally in the International Road Transport Union (IRU).
Following FTA’s lead, IRU has urged European Commissioners to rethink proposals to harmonise height limits for single-deck trailers, which, industry argues, would harm industry, increase vehicle miles and fly in the face of carbon reduction aims.
James Hookham, FTA’s Managing Director of Policy and Communications, says, “IRU’s support shows that the loss of a national trailer height exemption is not just a UK issue. Far from it, the estimated cost of harmonising trailer heights in the way being proposed would amount to around €800 million every year for those affected; an additional cost that Europe could certainly do without right now.
“We have worked hard to influence the Department for Transport, MEPs and Commission officials aware of the efficiencies and carbon savings achieved in the UK through the use of ‘high-cube’ and double deck trailers and this 'harmonisation at all costs' attitude must be abandoned immediately.”
Hookham concluded, “Our plan is already going strong and with IRU now onside our message will hopefully resonate even more loudly in Europe and we will see this proposal killed off before any serious damage is done.”
