The Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) welcomed the publication yesterday (7 November), of the Department for Transport’s consultation on proposals to increase the permitted speed and weight at which agricultural tractors and their trailers can be used on roads. AEA Economist, Chris Evans, said, "UK legislation has for many years lagged behind technological advance."

"The AEA has for several years been working with the British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA), the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) and the National Farmers Unions (NFU and NFUS) to call for a change in the legislation to allow tractors and trailers that had undertaken a proprietary roadworthiness type test (undertaken by accredited industry inspectors) to travel at speeds up to 25mph and weights of up to 37,000 kg (for tri-axle trailers with road-friendly suspension).

"UK legislation has failed to keep up with technological developments since 1986 when the weight and speed limitations were enshrined in the Construction and Use regulations; i.e. a maximum weight of 24,390 kg for a tractor/trailer combination and a maximum speed for a majority of combinations of 20mph. Today tractors are Type Approved to European harmonised legislation 40 km/h (30 mph)."

The partner associations have proposed a scheme – the Agricultural Tractor Trailer Scheme (ATTS) – which would require an annual roadworthiness type test designed to ensure the standard of machinery at test and so promote road safety.

The AEA say they were also pleased attend a factory visit yesterday by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Robert Goodwill MP, where he was able to view example tractor and trailer combinations and hear more about the industry views.