The government has decided not to proceed with a proposal to allow road fuel tankers to carry more fuel during periods of potential or acute fuel supply disruption.
The news follows a consultation with industry players which found there was not a huge appetite for the measures.
Following disruption to fuel supplies in autumn 2021, the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) set out a proposal to allow road fuel tankers to temporarily operate at weights higher than usually permitted to enable more fuel to be transported.
The proposal would only permit fuel tankers to operate at increased weights of up to 48 or 50 tonnes (not exceeding maximum permitted GB axle weights or the design train weight of the vehicle) during periods of potential or acute fuel supply disruption, with certain route approval and vehicle equipment conditions applying.
A total of 47 responses were received during the consultation period for the proposal – 15 were from individuals and 32 were on behalf of organisations. Due to the low response rate, the government went on to have one-to-one discussions with fuel tanker operators and hauliers.
Respondents were generally supportive of the key policy proposal when asked in terms of an agree/disagree question. However, there was reluctance from most respondents to make use of the permitted weight increase if it became available. The reasons offered for this were:
- a lack of vehicles with a design weight of 48 or 50 tonnes within existing fleets
- the outlay associated with increased maintenance and insurance costs
- the possibility that the vehicles were unlikely to be used in times of no shortage or would be used with reduced payloads.
Concerns were also raised over road safety, road damage and infrastructure, specifically bridges.
