European politics

Certain EU states such as the UK, Austria and Switzerland have already come out clearly against longer and heavier trucks; other countries are in favour, for example the Netherlands and Denmark. But the final decision will be taken in Brussels – and if mega trucks are given the green light on a European level then nothing can stop them thundering along roads right across Europe.

However, the process of influencing opinion is already well under way, and the political situation is both completely open and dangerous. Lobbyists are now hard at work in the corridors of power pushing for mega trucks to be allowed. This is why it is important that opponents of longer and heavier trucks should now start to campaign actively and move the mega trucks issue into the public domain in their own countries. This way they could increase the pressure on their own transport ministers and members of the European Parliament.

One thing is sure: should the EU Commission make changes to directive 96/53, which regulates the maximum dimensions and weight of heavy goods vehicles, then every member state of the European Union will have to allow mega trucks on to its roads whether it wants to or not.

The European parliament has already voiced its opposition to mega trucks on several occasions