Bloody Hell, that was quick ...

Tim W linked to this article this morning:

A superlorry, which is 24ft longer than a bendy bus and as heavy as a fully armoured Challenger 2 tank, will take to the roads for the first time today....

However, the Government has refused to allow road trials because it is concerned about undermining the market for rail freight. It also fears they would be unpopular with car drivers.

Mr Denby claims his superlorry is permitted under the 1986 Road Vehicles Regulations, which state that “certain vehicles” may be permitted to draw more than one trailer and can be up to 25.9m (85ft) in length. This section was apparently intended for the recovery of broken down trucks but the regulations do not mention that.

The DfT said it believed Mr Denby’s superlorry was illegal but it admitted that the issue of length came under “quite a fiddly bit of legislation”. A spokeswoman said: “I couldn’t really tell you if there was a loophole...”

Lincolnshire police intends to allow Mr Denby to drive a couple of miles before stopping him and inspecting the vehicle at a layby on the A46 Lincoln bypass. A police spokesman said: “Lincolnshire Police will be enforcing the law and stopping the road train to investigate any construction and use offences which may be found...”

At 13:07, the BBC reported:

A 25.25m (83ft) long so-called superlorry has been blocked from being driven on public roads by police in Lincolnshire. The new longer vehicle was being driven from the headquarters of owners Denby Transport, in Lincoln, when it was stopped earlier... Denby Transport said its lawyers believe the lorry complies with all the current regulations.

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: "There are a set of 'construction and use' regulations within British law which cover the use of motor vehicles on UK roads, "These include regulations on length, width and towing capacities of various classes of vehicles. If the Denby road train falls outside these definitions then it will be deemed to be illegal on UK roads. Therefore Lincolnshire Police will be enforcing the law and stopping the road train to investigate any... offences which may be found."

Best go on the safe side, lads? Nick 'em just in case. These stinkers, paying their road tax and fuel duties and then having the temerity to whizz up and down public highways delivering nasties like cornflakes and soap powder. Possibly to terrorists or somebody.