Transport Minister Mike Penning announced last month that DfT had approved a 10-year trial of longer lorries. The trial will be limited to two sizes: up to 900 lorries can be 1 m longer than the present limit, and another 900 can be 2-05 m longer which means that the overall length will be 18-55 m. The shorter articulated trailer will be able to carry four extra pallets stacked two high, while the longer trailer could carry eight more. However, the 44 tonne gross weight limit is not being changed at this stage, and DfT says it 'has also ruled out the introduction of "gigaliners" - lorry combinations of 25 m and above'. DfT also says 'the trial is expected to provide a £33m boost to the haulage industry as the longer vehicles provide up to 13% more loading space - allowing fewer journeys to transport the same amount of goods'.
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