The speed limit for ultra-heavy loads will increase from 12mph to 25mph this week
London,EN,UK -Road Transport, by Roger Brown -29 November 2010: ... The Department for Transport (DfT) says the change - due to come into force on 29 November - will apply to artics weighing between 150 and 250 tonnes... For draw-bar trailer vehicles weighing between 150 and 250 tonnes, the limit will increase from 12mph to 20mph... Girder frame trailers will remain restricted to 12mph... About one hundred abnormal loads weighing in at more than 150 tonnes are transported each year... However, according to the DfT, technological advances in the vehicles and trailers concerned mean that it has now been possible to revise the speed limits... Research into the changes was carried out on behalf of the Highways Agency last year, followed by a consultation process with the industry... It suggested that despite most abnormal loads being transported outside of peak times, the cost to the economy as a result of the congestion caused was about £5.1m per year... By increasing the maximum permitted speed of certain loads, the figure is expected to fall to £2.5m... The research also showed the increased speed would have only a marginal impact on wear and tear on the roads... Police believe the move will also reduce the number of accidents caused by traffic crashing into slow-moving loads from the rear... (Photo from roadtransport/big-lorry-blog: FULL STEAM AHEAD CEM 265ton STATOR ON BOARD)
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