The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has today supported calls for new safer and cleaner lorry designs to be allowed on Europe’s roads as soon as possible.
The EU is currently debating whether to allow HGVs to have additional safety and aerodynamic devices at the front and rear of their vehicles. Whilst the principle is generally agreed upon, some member states do not want to allow these new designs on our roads until into the 2020’s, as this would disadvantage particular vehicle manufacturers.
FTA’s Head of Urban Logistics Policy Christopher Snelling commented:
“As operators of over half the UK fleet of HGVs, FTA members want to be able to start making use of these devices as soon as possible. We see no good reason for an artificial delay. Our members are always seeking to exploit new innovations to improve safety and reduce emissions and are hopeful this new equipment could play a useful role on many vehicles.”
FTA’s statement is in response to a letter which has been sent to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport – Robert Goodwill MP from the Campaign for Better Transport stating that ‘safer, more aerodynamic lorry designs need EU go-ahead through revision of Directive 96/53/EC.’
