Written Question · S4W-25932 · Session 4
Further to the answer to question S4W-25677 by Derek Mackay on 3 June 2015, whether it considers that the information provided is consisten…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-25677 by Derek Mackay on 3 June 2015, whether it considers that the information provided is consistent with the comment in the Department for Transport impact assessment report, Raising the national speed limit for HGVs > 7.5t on single carriageway roads in England and Wales, that "there is little academic evidence about how a change in the HGV speed limit would affect road casualties. We commissioned a report by TRL [Transport Research Laboratory] (2009) into the potential effect of an increase in the HGV<7.5 speed limit on single carriageway roads. Unfortunately, the final report was unable to reach any firm conclusions about the likely effects", and what the reason is for its position on this matter.
The answer
The Department for Transport used analytical modelling in its impact assessment for single carriageway roads in England and Wales which forecast that ‘there would be an additional 1.7 to 3.5 fatal and 4.2 to 8.5 serious accidents involving HGVs >7.5t each year as a result of the speed limit increase’. The lack of academic evidence referred to by the Transport Research Laboratory , combined with this modelling work, means that the Scottish Government does not believe there is justification for a blanket change in the HGV speed limit in Scotland at present.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-25932 by reference.