No Mega Trucks

Tell your local MEPs that the UK does not want megatrucks imposed by European Commission.

Please take the opportunity to ask your new MEPs, from the different parties, whether they will oppose mega truck (25 metres long and 60 tonnes weight).

While the UK Government's rejected trials of 60-tonne 25.5 metre lorries on UK roads in June 2008, if the European Parliament allows longer heavier lorries to travel across member states, it will mean in the medium term that mega trucks would come to the UK because of pressure from the road haulage industry. Even the European Commission research of January 2009 admitted that mega trucks are more dangerous than existing HGVs.

The European Commission (EC) has just publishing flawed research which could be used to recommend cross border operations for mega trucks, which would be fifty per cent longer and a third heavier than existing HGVs. Certain EC bureaucrats are aiming to push through mega trucks using research which we have exposed as mathematically incorrect and unsound.  The Swedish Presidency starting in July, which already allows mega trucks, may offer an opportunity to table these recommendations. The likelihood of a new Transport Commissioner in the Autumn, who could well support mega trucks, has to be factored in, too.

We need your support in making sure that the new MEPs realise that public opinion is opposed to massive lorries. Aslef opinion polling in both 2005 and 2007 showed that over 75% of people oppose LHVs.

• Tell your new MEPs that the UK does not want mega trucks imposed by the European Commission.
• Results of 2009 European elections in the UK | UK Office of the European Parliament.
  
• Key reasons against the introduction of longer heavier lorries.
• EU Commissioner's current view on LHVs (hot topic).
• Flawed EU report could lead to longer heavier lorries coming to UK by default (press release).
• European Parliament Candidates asked to oppose Mega Trucks (press release).
• European Commission plot to impose mega trucks across Europe (press release).
• Flawed European Commission research being used to justify Mega trucks (hot topic).
• Increased mega truck mileage hidden by EU research (press release).
• EU Chair to oppose mega trucks (press release).
• Brian Simpson MEP hosted a reception for Freight on Rail in Brussels on 10th November - the benefits of rail freight compared with mega trucks (hot topic).
• Reaction to unauthorised trials of mega trucks (press release).