Call for lorry regulations to be updated as new innovations introduced
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MP David Duguid has called for UK regulations to be updated to allow a Fraserburgh engineering company to use their new state-of-the-art temperature-controlled trailers on the road.
The Banff and Buchan MP is arranging a meeting with UK transport secretary Guy Opperman and bosses at Gray & Adams after the firm’s new intake of trailers, equipped with revolutionary corner caps, do not currently meet external size regulations.
UK regulations state that the overall width of temperature-controlled vehicles must not exceed 2.6 metres.
But despite complying with internal size regulations resulting in no competitive advantage being gained, the new corner caps mean that the trailers exceed the external rules.
In response to concerns raised by Mr Duguid, the transport secretary said the UK Government is looking at adjusting the regulations to incorporate innovation within the legislation.
At Westminster, Mr Duguid asked the transport secretary: “Fraserburgh-based Gray & Adams is the UK’s pre-eminent manufacturer of refrigerated trailers, who I'm told were actually involved in the design of regulations in the early days of refrigerated transport.
“Would the minister meet with me, and the Gray & Adams management and engineers to see what can be done to ensure the regulations are updated at a pace to keep up with the ongoing innovations made by this great example of British manufacturing.”
Guy Opperman said: “David Duguid has been a fantastic champion for Fraserburgh but also for this particular business.
“I know the issue very, very well in respect of longer semi-trailers and the compliance issues in relation to the regulations there.
“I'd be delighted to meet with him and the company and I want to assure the company and the wider industry that we are working to find a way forward on this particular issue because it matters. We want to support their business.”
