The approval of longer semi-trailers for UK road haulage operators is welcomed by the industry, but there are operational considerations and potential pitfalls to overcome, writes Steve Banner.
AFTER AN 11-year trial the Department for Transport (DfT) has finally sanctioned the general use of longer semi-trailers (LSTs) at up to 15.65m on UK highways.
The DfT suggests that they will take one standard-sized 13.6m semi-trailer off the road for every 12 trips.
The extra cargo space they offer means that a 15.65m long double-decker can swallow a whopping 60 pallets compared with the more modest 52 on a 13.6m long double-decker. A single-deck 15.65m LST will shift 30 pallets as against the 26 that can be transported on a 13.6m single-decker.
