Consultation outcome

Heavier intermodal freight trial

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Detail of outcome

Having considered the responses to this consultation and following discussion with the Welsh and Scottish governments, we will continue to work towards implementing a trial of 48 tonne vehicles for intermodal journeys within Great Britain.

Vehicle weight limits are devolved in Northern Ireland.

Expressions of interest for the heavy goods vehicle intermodal trial were collected between April and May 2022.


Original consultation

Summary

Seeks views on a possible trial of higher maximum weight limits for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) carrying intermodal freight.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

At present, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) carrying intermodal road or rail freight have a lower maximum payload weight than HGVs carrying road-only freight. This is due to the higher weight of the rail container and specialised trailer compared with a standard curtain-sided HGV.

This consultation seeks views on:

  • a possible trial of higher maximum weight limits of 48 tonnes (rather than 44 tonnes) for HGVs carrying intermodal freight
  • how such a trial might be implemented
  • how such a trial might be evaluated

It also outlines how operators interested in taking part in such a trial can submit expressions of interest.

Documents

Impact assessment

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email webmasterdft@dft.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Consultation response questionnaire

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email webmasterdft@dft.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Updates to this page

Published 9 November 2020
Last updated 24 August 2021 + show all updates
  1. Outcome has been published.

  2. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page