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The Government has allowed a 10-year trial of longer lorries leading
to increased safety concerns and making urban traffic flow more
difficult. The Government gave the go-ahead for a trial of longer semi-
trailer vehicles - up to 18.55m (60ft) long.

The longer lorries will make it more difficult for other traffic to
enter the flow of traffic at slip roads and cause concern when
overtaking cyclists. The DfT’s own analysis found that the threat from
certain slow manoeuvres could increase by as much as 9%. Cyclists are
particularly at risk from lorries engaged in such manoeuvres, which
from 2005 to 2009, accounted for 40% of fatal cycle crashes involving
an articulated lorry.

The longer lorries are not suited to the smaller towns and villages
across the UK and the claims made for their benefit are in question.
HGVs have double the accident rate of light goods vehicles in urban
areas. The trials should be stopped and alternative approaches more
suitable to the UK, considered.

Better to use and improve the rail system. see http://epetitions.direct.gov..uk/petitions/20022