More goods can be carried in fewer trips, says government, but campaigners have safety concerns.
The government has approved the use of longer lorries on British roads, saying it will make businesses more efficient and cut emissions.Longer lorries can carry more goods in fewer trips but have a larger tail swing, meaning their rear end covers a greater area when turning. They also have extended blind spots.Lorries up to 18.55m long - which is about 2.05m longer than the standard size - have been trialled since 2011 and there are already around 3,000 in use.
It estimates the vehicles will save 70,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere over 11 years. Spokesman Norman Baker added that the bigger "tail swing" of the lorries presented a "danger to other road users and pedestrians". A government-commissioned report published in July 2021 revealed that 58 people were injured in incidents involving longer lorries between 2012 and 2020.
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