THE UK government is consulting on whether fuel tankers should be allowed to carry more fuel in a move designed to further strengthen the UK’s fuel supply chain to help ensure lorry, bus and cars drivers can always fill up with confidence.
Most fuel tankers operate with spare tank capacity due to the existing 44 tonne weight limit. The potential to allow tankers to operate to their full design train weight could increase the efficiency of the fuel supply chain by approximately 6%.
The measure would enable more fuel to be carried using the same vehicles, helping to safeguard a strong fuel supply chain, said Roads Minister Richard Holden: “Thanks to the government’s measures to support the sector, our country has now an even stronger haulage supply chain.
“Safety will be at the heart of the consultation, and any increase in fuel capacity would apply only to fuel tankers equipped with appropriate safety features such as vehicle stability functionality.
“Routes to be used by these heavier tankers would have to be agreed in advance and an assessment of the proposals by National Highways indicates that the increase in safety risks would be extremely small and any risk of infrastructure damage would be effectively managed,” he said.
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