Low carbon vehicles and construction work

That this House recognises that many businesses use Volumetric Mobile Plants (VCM) that deliver concrete to many other small local businesses and that VCM businesses contribute £386 million annually to the national economy, support 5,800 FTE jobs and an additional 9,850 jobs in the wider economy; accepts the evidence of 200 UK construction companies that reducing their weight from 38.4 and 44T to 32T damages the ability of those vehicles to supply the widest possible range of cements to the biggest number of customers in one trip, replacing single lorry journeys with multiple journeys, causing a much higher carbon footprint, with more fuel used and generating more CO, Nox, SO2, VOCs and PMs; further recognises that the Government’s decision to limit operations at 32 tonnes from 2028 means that many current mobile plants, which cost £230,000, are effectively scrap; considers the carbon impact of this policy that will add 23 million more VCM/lorry kilometres to UK roads, 598,000 more VCM/lorry journeys each year, 120,000 additional tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere and extra carbon costs in excess of £7 million per year; and thus calls on the Government to commission an up-to-date study from Highways UK on the impact of 38.4T and 44T VCMs on the road infrastructure as well as an environmental impact of the policy to use lighter VCMs with a view to make permanent the temporary 38.4T and 44T weight limits.