Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer on 28 October 2021 to Question 62817 on Large Goods Vehicles: Concrete, for what reason no additional environmental impact assessments have been made to estimate the effect of the additional lorry journeys needed by replacing 38.4 tonne VCMs with 32 tonne VCMs.

No additional environmental impact assessment has been undertaken because the standard weight limit applicable to 4-axle rigid HGVs is 32 tonnes. The Government amended regulations connected with annual testing and operator licensing but not permitted maximum weights. Only a limited and specific number of volumetric concrete mixers (VCMs) are permitted to temporarily operate at 38.4 tonnes using Vehicle Special Orders. This is to allow the industry time to adjust to the standard legal weight limits.