Road safety commentators say cyclists could be at risk as Government plans to give more freight operators the chance to join a 10 year trial allowing the use of longer vehicles.

Government’s ‘longer semi-trailer trial’ was launched in 2012 and enabled freight operators to bid for a share of 1800 vehicle allocations. Around 1400 longer semi-trailers are now on the road or under construction, with 400 allocations still available.

Campaigns director of cycling group CTC Roger Geffen said: “Allowing yet more over length lorries on our road puts cyclists at increased risk of fatal injuries, particularly from lorries making tight left turns on urban streets. They would also increase damage to our already badly potholed roads, while undermining the ability of rail freight to compete as a safer and more sustainable alternative.”

Mr Geffen recommended that lorry cabs should be redesigned to seat drivers nearer to ground level, making it easier to see vulnerable road users.

But Transport Minister Claire Perry said: “Longer trailers allow companies to transport more goods, more efficiently and can have significant economic and environmental benefits. I’d like to see all of these allocations used so we can see fewer unnecessary journeys on our roads.”

The Department for Transport said its aim was to get the full quota of 1800 longer semi-trailers on the road as quickly as possible.

Between 600,000 and 900,000 vehicle kilometres have already been saved by use of the longer semi-trailers in the trial so far. The overall economic benefits are estimated at £33M over 10 years, with the trial expected to save more than 3000t of CO2. 

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