EDM 126: Accelerating construction work and lower carbon construction vehicles

That this House recognises the benefits of the production of concrete with zero waste, fewer lorry movements and minimal water waste by greener volumetric mobile concrete plants (VCMs); acknowledges that since their invention in 1975 and following regulations in 2918, VCMs have operated safely in the UK at 38.4 tonnes on 4 axles and 44 tonnes on 5 axles, with on-board concrete pumps that eliminate the need for separate pump lorries; welcomes the Government’s commitment when in Opposition to reverse the damaging decision of the previous Government to impose a universal weight cut to 32 tonnes on VCMs at the same time as permitting higher weights for electric HGVs; notes this reversal also has the support of former Conservative Transport Ministers and Hon Members from across all the major political parties; further notes that unless action is taken, the sole UK manufacturer of 44T VCMs in Sheffield will cease trading; also notes Denmark raised the weight limit for VCMs from 32 tonnes to 38 tonnes and in Italy and Scandinavia 44 tonne VCMs are road-legal; and urges the Government act swiftly to bring in a Statutory Instrument or other measure to make permanent instead of temporary the current 38.4T and 44T weight limits to safeguard 15,000 skilled jobs, contributing £380 million to the UK economy each year.