UK forwarders welcome ministry consultation on heavy truck speed limits

A review into the speed limits for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) from the government has been broadly welcomed by UK forwarders because they help efficient manufacturing and retail supply chains, according to the British International Freight Association (BIFA).

BIFA director-general Peter Quantrill said some evidence points to increase of speeds of HGVs having a positive impact on congestion to support just-in-time delivery systems.

"Others are of the opinion that increased speeds have an adverse effect on the environment and dispute claims that increased HGV speed limits can assist road safety efforts," said Mr Quantrill.

For BIFA members, what is most important is not an increase in speed limits, but the ability to ensure consistent traffic flows, he added with congestion a problem on all modes of UK transport consideration needs to be made to active traffic management schemes such as the M42 and Birmingham.

"We should not forget this is part of a much bigger picture concerning UK road transport, including such issues as longer trailers; as well as the thorny matter of road transport infrastructure funding, fuel duties, emissions, and safety.

"For some time, we have advocated that the state of UK road infrastructure must be at the forefront of government thinking, and with the various recent announcements coming from the DfT [Department for Transport], we hope that our message is getting through," he said.