Given the recent court case in Bath following the Lansdown Lane instance in Bath, I know how sensitive this issue is for residents across Bath.
Recently in 2012, the Department for Transport began a trial of longer semi-trailers for articulated goods vehicles in 2012 with the aim of reducing carbon emissions from HGVs. The trial aims to see if using longer semi-trailers brings about anticipated environmental and economic benefits. Though the implementation of this trial has caused concern as to the safety of urban and local roads, I would personally like to reassure you that this will not be the case. Furthermore, I believe its positive environmental and economic impact warrants further attention: The trial alone is expected to save over 3,000 tonnes of CO2 as a result of the reduction in journeys and will deliver overall economic benefits at £33 million over 10 years for our country.
In regards to its environmental impact, I am further pleased to say that fourth Annual Report of the trial was published in July 2016 and continues to show significant savings in vehicle kilometres, a reduction in journeys and a low rate of safety incidents. I would particularly like to point out that between 8 and 10 million vehicle kilometres have been saved as a result of using LSTs from when the trial started in 2012 up to the end of 2015. This represents a saving of between 75,000 and 90,000 journeys compared to moving the same goods by using conventional trailers.
I am further pleased to be able to reassure you that the use of LSTs will actually decrease road collisions. On a per mile basis nationally, LSTs have been involved in around 70 per cent fewer personal injury collisions and causalities compared to the average for standard articulated HGVs. Further to this, the LSTs ran empty for only 19 per cent of the total distance they covered, considerably lower than the figure of around 29 per cent for all articulated HGVs in 2012-2014. Though these vehicles’ length may initially seem intimidating, I am reassured in knowing that they are, in fact, a safer and more environmentally- and economically-friendly method of transportation.
It is important to note that all LSTs must comply with the manoeuvrability requirements set out in legislation. A wide variety of different models have been introduced so far, and all have met these standards. Furthermore, I have full confidence in the abilities of our licensed and experienced drivers to operate the vehicles properly.
Though I am in full support of this trial instated by the Department for Transport, I would like to assure you that I will be keeping an eye on the trial itself, applauding its achievements, but ensuring that our roads and infrastructure are not compromised in the process.