Logistics UK has welcomed the permanent fixture of Longer Semi-Trailers (LSTs), as announced by government, hailing it as an opportunity to reduce road emissions and industry costs.
Able to transport a higher volume of goods, resulting in fewer vehicles needed and subsequent reduced running costs, LSTs will provide a much-needed economic boost for the sector that is currently facing escalating costs related to decarbonisation investments and soaring inflation. In the view of Logistics UK, the announcement will also bring many environmental benefits due to lower congestion, and with less vehicles on the road, also has the potential to increase road safety.
Chris Yarsley, Logistics UK’s Senior Policy Manager – Road Freight Regulation comments:
“The introduction of LSTs into general service will increase the scope and scale of the goods which our industry is able to transport, increasing efficiencies and reducing the environmental impact of delivering for the UK’s economy. Over the past few years of the trial, our members have proved that LSTs provide operators with a cost-efficient, environmentally prudent alternative to conventional vehicles and our members remain committed to rolling them out across the wider industry as soon as possible.”
It has to be said though, that this move has divided opinion - certainly in the Multimodal LinkedIn pages. Several correspondents have cited that this will discourage modal shift, not help potholes (trucks cube out before they tare out and thus overall weight increases) and do little to improve safety. Others have argued that it will reduce road miles and cut carbon emissions.
Logistics UK is a sponsor of Multimodal 2023
