The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has welcomed the positive response from the Department for Transport (DfT) to the trials of longer semi-trailers (LSTs), finding them to be safer, more economical, and better for the environment.

An LST is a semi-trailer with a length of either 14.6 metres or 15.65 metres. This is up to 2.05 metres longer than current standard-length trailers of 13.6 metres.

Commenting, RHA Managing Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Rod McKenzie said, “We have fully supported these trials since they were first proposed. Many of our members took part in the trials and all were very positive about the concept.  This is something we have long campaigned for so it’s good to see the government has listened to the RHA and its members.”

LSTs remove significant numbers of lorry journeys by carrying the same amount of cargo in fewer lorries, thereby supporting the government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan by reducing mileage, congestion and carbon emissions.

The DfT will now consider the use of LSTs on Britain’s roads outside trial conditions, and the longer, 15.65 metre vehicles could be rolled out sometime in 2022.

Concluding, Rod McKenzie said, “We look forward to seeing these proposals progress not just in England but also in the devolved nations.”