New legislation around longer semi-trailers (LST) for logistics rolled out in May 2023 and comes with a range of benefits for UK logistics. Find out more here.
Longer Semi-Trailer (LST) Legislation to Support Logistics
The new logistics legislation and regulations for longer semi-trailers (LST) for UK logistics rolled out on the 31st of May 2023 and come with a wide range of benefits for the sector including less pressure on the environment, roads, and employment pool. However, it’s not without its challenges. We’re going to take a look at how LSTs have, and can, benefit businesses in the future, as well as investigate some of the challenges that come with this new adaptation.
A boon for business and the environment
Introduced in May, the government now permits longer semi-trailer combinations up to 18.55 metres on British roads. This is a full 2.05 metres increase compared to standard-size trailers. This change has been made to support the levelling up of the transport industry and is slated to generate a £1.4 billion boost for the UK’s economy as well as save 70,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
A seemingly simple solution, the legislation and reworked regulations for UK logistics have immediate implications for hauliers, as well as the rest of the supply chain, but some may benefit more than others.
More cube
The most obvious benefit of longer trailers is more cube for goods. The extra two metres per trailer means more cargo can be transported in the same trip. This is especially useful for larger/lighter products or non-standard cargoes, allowing hauliers to save money and time, and reduce the total number of trips.
Fewer trips and trucks
This extra space has a direct impact on volume with estimates suggesting that LSTs will allow for the same amount of cargo with 8% fewer journeys. On the road, this will lead to one less standard-sized trailer for every 12 trips. This saving may seem small but given the number of trips required, as well as the cost to manage, fuel, and maintain trucks, will reduce running costs and allow the supply chain to become more efficient and cost-effective.
This isn’t just hypothetical either with national businesses such as Greggs trialling the LST expansion. Through their programme, Greggs discovered;
“We welcome the introduction of LSTs into general use. Since 2013, Greggs has been operating LSTs from our National Distribution Centre in Newcastle. We were early adopters of the trial as we saw significant efficiency benefits from the additional 15% capacity that they afforded us…
Due to the increased capacity, we have reduced our annual kilometre (km) travel by 540,000 km, and saved 410 tonnes of carbon per year from LSTs. This supports our wider ESG agenda, the Greggs Pledge.” (Gavin Kirk, Supply Chain Director at Greggs)
Less stress on the roads
This leads us to the benefits outside of everyday business, the benefits to the environment, the job market, and the roads. For roads in particular, longer trailers mean a more evenly distributed cargo load. This reduces the wear and tear on roads and allows for tons of cargo to move from A to B without undue pressure on motorways and main roads.
This benefit is in part down to the fact that weight limits remain the same (at 44 tonnes), even if trailers can be longer. This means that while some industries may benefit, the weight limit will reduce the versatility of these longer trailers. Clearly, cargoes that tare out before they cube out will be unaffected.
Less reliance on the job market
Fewer trips and trucks also make scheduling simpler and ease the pressure on a job market with a shortage of drivers. Your team can be more effective and transport more in fewer trips. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that the longer trailers may necessitate additional training for your drivers, but more on that later.
A greener alternative
Last but not least, fewer trips means fewer emissions, a change that the public and private sectors can get excited about. The environment is a concern for businesses and consumers, and as such, offering a service that is more efficient and green not only makes the supply chain greener but shows off eco-friendly credentials.
This type of publicity can be huge for future contracts as it provides potential clients with confidence in your services and adherence to greener alternatives.
Challenges facing LST improvements
However, with all of the above strengths, there are several challenges to overcome.
Safety and training
First and foremost, is safety and training. Drivers will need to be trained on longer trailers which may require additional training and certification costs, never mind the time commitment. Some of the main areas to consider include:
- Driver training
- Driver scheduling
- Record keeping
- Management training
- Loading training for LSTs.
There is also the added risk of longer trailers on road and public safety. This is especially important off main thoroughfares where roads, warehouse entrances, and other paths may not be built with the longer format in mind.
All your training programmes should look to mitigate these risks as best as possible and ensure a smooth transition to the longer semi-trailer format.
Limited weight, limited application
Another challenge, and one that is briefly touched on above, is the fact that while the length has increased the weight limit has not and remains at 44 tonnes. This means that if you transport dense or heavy cargo, you may not be able to make the most of the new LSTs. As such, it’s best to consider where is best to invest in LSTs and what routes/clients might benefit from the extra cube.
Successful trials run by over 300 companies (including Greggs, Stobart, Royal Mail, Argos, and Morrisons) show that many consumer goods and materials can make use of LSTs but it is up to you to decide if the new format is for your business.
Goes against the long-term modal shift
Last but not least, this change flies in the face of the government’s drive to shift to different modes of transport where possible. It seems like a short to medium-term solution as the government and businesses look for ways to reduce congestion and ensure the most efficient routing possible.
By our estimates, this change serves as a stopgap for the larger issue of driver shortages and increased operational costs. However, you can make the most of this change in the interim until more understanding and clarity comes from the Government’s stance.
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