The UK government has announced plans for a rollout of longer-semi trailers (LSTs) on the roads ahead of the COP26 climate summit in November, which will take place in Glasgow.

The announcement was made in response to its consultation on the introduction of LSTs. The consultation found that 57% of those surveyed felt LSTs should be in general circulation and could see the positive effects the move would have on both the haulage industry and the climate.

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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “This Government is committed to fighting climate change and decarbonising our transport network, and we are working at pace to achieve net zero by 2050. Today’s announcement is a vital step forwards as we work to introduce more environmentally friendly freight to our roads and build back greener.”

A nine-year trial of the vehicles – which can be up to 15.65m in length – found that they were safer, more economical and better for the environment. The trial also saw a reduction in the number of lorries making journeys across the country, with an average 8% reduction in miles covered by freight, and 6.2% reduction in pollutants expelled. It also found the use of LSTs reduced the number of road traffic collisions as fewer journeys were needed.

Following the trial and consultation, the Department for Transport will now consider the use of LSTs on Britain’s roads, which could see vehicles rolled out sometime in 2022.

According to estimates, LSTs could remove up to 1 in 8 freight journeys by carrying the same amount of cargo in fewer lorries.

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Currently, the maximum weight of a lorry (44 tonnes) makes it difficult to carry heavier goods to rail depots, meaning goods need to be dispersed between several more lorries in order to get them to rail depots. Taking more goods in heavier trucks to rail depots will help reduce congestion as well as emissions. The government will also launch a separate trial using 48-tonne lorries, which are able to transport heavier containers to and from rail depots, allowing goods to be transported across the country by train.