Unlawful mega truck journeys: EU Commission to take steps

20 May 2010. After being informed by the German Pro-Rail Alliance about illegal cross-border journeys by longer, heavier vehicles between Germany and Denmark, the European Commission has decided to take action. In a letter to the Pro-Rail Alliance, the deputy head of cabinet for EU transport minister Siim Kallas announced that all member states will shortly be asked to give information on possible illegal trials by longer, heavier vehicles (LHVs).

A commission’s spokesperson confirmed to the German Logistics Newspaper (DVZ) that a letter has been sent in this regard to the German federal government already at the beginning of May. The government has to inform the EU Commission within two month about the granted permissions.

Denmark will also have received a demand by the EU Commission to report about its since 2008 occurring trials with mega trucks. Official figures show that 1500 longer and heavier trucks are passing the Oresund bridge between Denmark and Sweden every month.

The German government meanwhile pushes the nationwide use of mega trucks, trials shall start already at the beginning of 2011. According to a report in the German daily newspaper Die Welt, 150 vehicles will be taking part in the trials.