Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110
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Plans to increase the speed limit for some HGVs in a bid to boost economic growth were announced last Friday by UK Roads Minister Stephen Hammond.
The current speed limit on single carriageways for HGVs over 7.5t is 40 mph. Under the proposals, this could be increased to 45mph or 50mph. The speed limit for smaller HGVs (those between 3.5t and 7.5t) is 50 mph and this will remain unchanged.
Department for Transport statistics on monitored free-flow roads estimate that around 70% of HGVs over 7.5t currently travel over 40 mph and it is argued that these HGVs have an unfair competitive advantage over those that stick to the speed limit.
The freight industry says that the proposed changes will help growth by improving journey times, cutting congestion and reducing costs to business and the cost of goods people buy. It could also reduce the number of collisions caused by other road users overtaking slower moving lorries!
"The Government is committed to doing everything it can to improve conditions for economic growth," announced Mr Hammond. "While this is likely to lead to more than £30 million a year in benefits for businesses through quicker journeys and reduced congestion, I want to make sure we have carefully considered the evidence of all of the effects on the economy, environment and - of course - road safety, before we make a decision. I welcome views from all."
The consultation will run until 1st February 2013 so do make sure you have your say at: www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2012-34/
And finally, thank you to those of you who have posted on our new Facebook page, possible solutions to a reader's query about how to 'make good' metal floors that have been scratched by a buffer (see below, column right). I gather he's acted on some of the advice and I'll let you know how he got on once I've heard back from him. Meantime some of the suggestions are listed below, centre column. If you have some ideas of your own, just post to our FaceBook page.
www.facebook.com/Cleanzine
Yours,
15th November 2012