UK Forwarders Welcome DfT Consultation on Increased HGV Speed Limits

London, United Kingdom, November 22, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Peter Quantrill, Director General of BIFA, the trade association for UK freight forwarders, says: “Some evidence suggests that an increase in the speeds at which HGVs can operate can have a positive impact on congestion; which is a major problem for our members that are trying to operate just-in-time delivery systems, to keep manufacturing and retail supply chains functioning efficiently.

“Others, are of the opinion that increased speeds have an adverse effect on the environment and dispute claims that increased HGV speed limits can assist road safety efforts.

“For BIFA members, what is most important is not an increase in speed limits, but the ability to ensure consistent traffic flows.

“For many years we have said that congestion needs to be planned out of all modes of UK transport. If an increase in HGV speed limits helps, we welcome that, but in conjunction with any decision regarding speed limits, consideration should be given to more active traffic management schemes such as the M42 around Birmingham which does assist in preventing congestion.

“We should not forget this is part of a much bigger picture concerning UK road transport, including such issues as longer trailers; as well as the thorny matter of road transport infrastructure funding, fuel duties, emissions, and safety.

“For some time, we have advocated that the state of UK road infrastructure must be at the forefront of government thinking, and with the various recent announcements coming from the DfT, we hope that our message is getting through.”