Volumetric concrete mixer lorries should be subject to the same regulations as other HGVs if they are operating on public roads, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has urged the government.
It was responding to two separate government consultations that ended in March this year, with results yet to be announced, that look at the current exemptions for certain classes of vehicle from licensing and testing requirements.
The FTA said it supported the proposal to remove the roadworthiness testing exemption for volumetric concrete mixers and that it also wanted to see them brought under the O-licensing regime. It also opposes the proposal that such vehicles should be allowed to operate outside or in excess of Construction & Use weight limits.
Christopher Snelling, FTA head of urban logistics, said: “The FTA believes that, in general, if a vehicle is operating on the public roads and has the same risk profile as an HGV, it should be subject to similar levels of regulation. We are working with our members in the construction logistics sector to try to improve road safety, especially that of cyclists. It is right that vehicles involved in this work, using public roads, should be incorporated into the regulatory regimes.”
The FTA also wanted to see increased targeted enforcement of driver and vehicle regulations in high risk areas, such as London, “as regulations are of no use if they are flouted”.
It said progressive improvement to regulation could deliver significant benefits, which has been proven by the 50% decrease in the number of HGVs involved in fatal incidents on Britain’s in the last 12 years.
“Maximum improvement in road safety can never achieved by addressing just one set of road users, but we all have our part to play in reducing the number of injuries and fatalities on our roads. These improvements in regulation of large commercial vehicles that FTA is supporting here are part of what the freight industry believes is the best route to taking road safety forwards,” said Snelling.
TfL announced last month it would be launching a joint intelligence commercial freight enforcement unit this summer to step up its action against uncompliant operators.