The permitted maximum laden weight of volumetric concrete mixers has not been reduced. A temporary arrangement to enable market adjustments to the operation of the vehicles complying in practice to the standard weights applicable to heavy goods vehicles has been put in place. The longer-term market adjustments may include the same vehicle making more journeys or increased use of other vehicle types for concrete transport.

A special dispensation was made for volumetric concrete mixers in operation or on order by the end of 2018 to allow them to operate at weights higher than the usual maxima. Articulated vehicles are allowed to operate at maximum laden weights of up to 44 tonnes, depending on their axle configurations.

No specific estimate has been made of the effect on CO2 emissions of requiring operators of volumetric concrete mixers to comply with the standard weight limits applicable to heavy goods vehicles (and other specialised vehicles). A total of 1106 volumetric concrete mixers are currently in circulation in Great Britain operating under Vehicle Special Orders permitting them to operate at higher than usual weights. The Department’s estimate is that these vehicles represent the vast majority of the type in operation.

No estimate has been made of the value to the UK economy of manufacturing and servicing of volumetric concrete mixers on an annual basis.

There are no plans for further discussions with utilities and highways representatives about the maximum weights of volumetric concrete mixers. The Department recognises the use of the vehicles in repair operations and also higher effects on structures associated with vehicles operating on roads in excess of the standard weight limits.

Dispensations to allow extra weights for vehicles operating in 2018 were designed to allow the market to adjust to the vehicles complying, during the course of this decade, with the standard weights applicable to heavy goods vehicles. After that volumetric concrete mixer vehicles are allowed to continue to be operated at standard weights, as before the dispensations made in 2018.

Further to the response to HL13350, the permitted maximum laden weight of volumetric concrete mixers has not been reduced. A temporary arrangement to enable market adjustments to the operation of the vehicles complying in practice to the standard weights applicable to heavy goods vehicles has been put in place. The longer-term market adjustments may include the same vehicle or other vehicles types travelling for additional distances.

Pursuant to the answer to HL12929, Highways England’s existing procedures on Historical Railways Estate (HRE) structures are designed to keep the public safe and are underpinned by what is the safest and most appropriate option for a given structure. Local highway authorities have responsibility for applying weight restrictions, closing the roads, or restricting traffic. Approximately 200 of the public road bridges on the HRE managed by Highways England have failed their most recent structural assessment but Local Authorities have not had any restrictions implemented. Therefore, in these cases, Highways England’s planned infilling is the safest and most appropriate option and will maintain access across the structures. Although there are currently no plans to review existing procedures, this will be kept under review.

Highways England enjoys a strong working relationship with local councils, allowing for an open dialogue about local authority responsibilities and the potential future use or transfer of ownership of bridges, and has contacted all local authorities affected to advise them of its plans to see if they have any use for the structures. In addition, it has arranged for seven structures to be transferred to local authorities which aspire to use them for cycle routes.